Why Should Our Children Including Boys Get the HPV Vaccination

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world, so prevalent that three-quarters of us will have at least one HPV infection in our lifetimes. The virus has serious consequences: it can lead to cervical cancer as well as mouth and throat cancers, and anal cancer, the rates of the latter have doubled here in the last 25 years.

Boys need Vaccination for HPV too

Here’s the good news: The vaccine for HPV is safe and highly effective in preventing the spread of the virus, particularly when it’s given to children and teens prior to them becoming sexually active.

Why Vaccination in Boys

So far, girls have been the ones bearing this public health responsibility because the vaccine is available free to girls in secondary schools, through publicly funded programs nationwide. But a report released this week by researchers at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto makes the case that we should be including boys in all publicly funded programs, too. HPV-related throat cancer affect three times as many men as women and its prevalence is anticipated to surpass that of cervical cancer within 10 years. Vaccinating boys could save our children in the future.

HPV can infect both males and females

If you already believe in the importance of vaccinations for other diseases, like measles or polio, then vaccinating your child against HPV is a no-brainer.

The HPV vaccine for girls has caused some pearl-clutching over concerns that it might lead to promiscuity — the logic being that protection from HPV will somehow drive girls to go wild. Two large-scale studies, however, have revealed no correlation at all between the HPV vaccine and sexual behaviour. In other words, the shots don’t make teens have more sex than they already do, but those shots will help protect teens from HPV when and if they do have it.

HPV can be giving from 9 to 26 years old

Which isn’t to say that the issue of sex as it relates to the vaccine is irrelevant. The HPV vaccine, which is typically given around puberty, offers an opportunity to actually talk to kids about the shot and why they are getting it.

Other Benefits

In other words, getting the shots also means teaching kids about the importance of looking after their own health and the health of their future partners. For boys, who are far less likely than girls to seek medical advice around sex and far less likely to be given sexual health information from doctors when they do see them, this is potentially life-saving. It’s also part of teaching young men about being compassionate and responsible partners.

To protect our new generations

Due to biology and social double standards, young women face most of the negative consequence of sex — from unwanted pregnancies, to assault, to slut shaming. Vaccinating boys against HPV gives them a way to step up. The shots don’t just protect them, they also increase overall immunity. And something that’s not talked about much in this debate, but is absolutely vital, is the fact that the vaccine is of particular importance for gay and bisexual young men, who will not receive the herd immunity benefits of girls’ vaccination programs.

Boys or Girls also can take the vaccination

Information about GARDASIL

GARDASIL is the only human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of HPV. In girls and young women ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against 2 types of HPV that cause about 75% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause about 90% of genital warts cases. In boys and young men ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against approximately 90% of genital warts cases.

GARDASIL helps protect against 4 types of HPV

GARDASIL also helps protect girls and young women ages 9 to 26 against approximately 70% of vaginal cancer cases and up to 50% of vulvar cancer cases.

Do I still need to do these test after I get the vaccination?

GARDASIL may not fully protect everyone, nor will it protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV. GARDASIL does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it’s important for women to continue routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL does not treat cancer or genital warts. GARDASIL is given as 3 injections over 6 months.

Cervical Screening test are advisable to do every year

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL, including those severely allergic to yeast, should not receive the vaccine. GARDASIL is not for women who are pregnant.

Some people allergic to the vaccination can develop severe side effects

The side effects include pain, swelling, itching, bruising, and redness at the injection site, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and fainting. Fainting can happen after getting GARDASIL. Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, your child’s health care professional may ask to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after they get GARDASIL. Some people who faint might shake or become stiff. This may require evaluation or treatment by your child’s health care professional.

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Posted by Wellness Lab 健康验血中心 on Thursday, May 14, 2015