Protecting Your Childs Future
You may have seen the commercials where children are asking their parents if they know about the HPV vaccine.
HPV vaccine protects against cancers caused by certain types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). These particular viruses increase the risk of cervical, vagina or vulva cancer in women and penile cancer in men. It also increases the risk of throat and anal cancer in both women and men. Other types of HPV can lead to genital warts.
HPV is extremely common. Nearly 80 million people are currently infected in the United States. About 14 million people, including teenagers, become infected with HPV every year, most will clear on their own. For those that do not clear it can lead to serious consequence like developing cancer or genital warts.
HPV vaccines can be given to both males and females between 9 and 24 years of age. But they are usually recommended to be given between the ages of 11 and 12 years. It is a 3-dose series.
Serious side effects like fainting are rare, most common is a pain at injection site. Always let your nurse or doctor know about any allergies.