measles vaccine Should I get the HPV vaccine?

Should I get the HPV vaccine?



In this section
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
What are the symptoms of HPV?
Should I have the HPV test?
How is HPV treated?
How do I make sure I do not get or transmit HPV?
Should I get the HPV vaccine?
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the most common STDs, so it is a great relief to know that vaccines will protect you against some types of HPV that can cause problems.

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What is the HPV vaccine?
There are three brands of the HPV vaccine: Gardasil, Gardasil 9 and Cervarix. All of these vaccines protect against HPV types 16 and 18 - the two types that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases. Gardasil also protects you from types 6 and 11, which cause 90% of genital warts. Gardasil 9 also protects against five other types of HPV (types 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58) that can also result in cancer of the cervix, anus, vulva, or vagina. HPV vaccines are given in a series of injections. For people between 15 and 26 years old, the vaccine has three separate injections. The second injection is applied two months after the first and third four months after the second. Therefore, it takes about six months to get all three injections.

For people between 9 and 14 years, only two injections are necessary. The second injection is applied six months after the first injection.

Who should get vaccinated against HPV?
All people between 9 and 26 years old can be vaccinated against HPV to protect against genital warts or different types of HPV that can cause cancer. It is recommended that children be vaccinated at the age of 11 or 12, so that they are fully protected years before becoming sexually active.

The vaccine does not usually apply to people older than 26 years. Regardless of your age, check with your doctor or nurse to find out if the HPV vaccine could benefit you.

Does the HPV vaccine produce side effects?
Research indicates that the vaccine is safe. The most common side effect is having temporary pain and redness at the application site.

One of the reasons why the HPV vaccine is controversial is because it prevents a sexually transmitted disease, which makes many people think it is not appropriate for children. The point is that the vaccine works better if it is applied long before the person begins to have an active sex life. Therefore, it is advisable that you apply it while you are a child so that you do not have to worry about certain types of cancer later on.Studies show that the HPV vaccine does not lead people to have more sex or to have sex at a younger age. Therefore, the application of the HPV vaccine does not encourage children to have sex. All it does is provide protection against genital warts and cancer when they are adults.

If I already have an HPV infection, does the vaccine work to treat it?
No. If you already have an HPV infection, you will not be able to treat it with the vaccine.

However, it can protect you against other types of HPV. If you have an HPV infection, check with your doctor or nurse to find out what tests or treatment you need.

If I got vaccinated against HPV, do I still need to have Pap smears / HPV tests?
Yes. Pap smears are still an important way to detect and prevent cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cancer. Therefore, it is still important that you do Pap smears / HPV tests to detect any cellular changes that may cause cervical cancer.

Where can I get the HPV vaccine?
You can get the HPV vaccine at many Planned Parenthood Health Centers. You can also put it in other clinics, health departments and private nurses and doctors' offices.

How much does the HPV vaccine cost?
Each dose of the vaccine costs around $ 240. Fortunately, many health insurance covers the cost of HPV vaccines. There are also programs that help people without insurance to apply the vaccine at low cost or for free.

You deserve to be healthy, regardless of whether you have health insurance. Talk to staff at local Planned Parenthood Health Centers or another doctor or nurse for more information on how to get the vaccine at a more affordable price.