HEALTH and WEIGHT LOSE SOLUTION

There has been a lot of recent media attention surrounding HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, which is a disease that can cause cervical cancer or genital warts. HPV is passed back and forth through sexual intercourse, thus making it a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Some strains are harmless and show no symptoms, while others can cause serious health issues, including cancer. With no genital warts cure or treatment that will completely eliminate the virus, it is recommended that young women are vaccinated against this STD.

The HPV vaccination is recommended for girls 11 or 12 years of age, and the American Pediatric Association has recently recommend that boys, too, receive this vaccine. Because this is a newer vaccine, it is recommend that girls up to the age of 26 receive the dosage as well.

The shot, also known by the brand-name Gardasil, is given in three doses over a six month period. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have approved and licensed the vaccine, guaranteeing is safety and effectiveness for young women. Unless you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the vaccine, most women find that the only side effect is a bit of soreness or tenderness at the injection site.

Just like any type of vaccine, the HPV vaccine does not protect against all strains of the disease. The vaccine targets a select group of strains, the ones that most commonly cause cervical cancer and genital warts. The vaccine is highly effective at preventing these strains of HPV, although it is less effective in women who have already contracted the disease. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with HPV, the vaccine will not treat the disease, it can only prevent it from occurring.

With the newness of the HPV vaccine, it is still unclear of whether or not girls will need a booster shot in years to come. It is highly important that the three recommended doses are administered according to schedule, and the FDA and CDC will report if booster shots are needed in the future.

Fortunately, most insurance companies pay for the vaccine in girls 26 years of age and younger. The safety and effectiveness of the vaccine has led many parents to choose to vaccinate their children against this disease, which is on the recommended shot schedule. If your insurance company does not cover the vaccine, check with the doctor’s office to see if they have a vaccination program in place to help cover the costs or put you on a payment plan.