A recent study, published in the journal Pediatrics , explains that males should be getting the vaccine for human papilloma viruses (HPV), not only females. It is recommended by professionals that young people should start receiving the vaccine around age 11.
More than 30 types of HPV are transmitted through sexual behavior, and most of the time infected individuals do not have any signs or symptoms, making it very easy to pass on before getting any type of treatment. This is extremely hazardous, because HPV can result in genital warts, and in rare cases, the person may develop warts in the throat. More aggressive types of HPV can progressively turn to precancerous legions and cancer of the throat, mouth, anus and penis. In addition, the infection from HPV is responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases.
HPV is most common in sexually active young people, can cause fertility problems for women later in life, and is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. More than half of sexually active people contract HPV at one point during their lifetime. Although HPV usually goes away on its own, this is not always the case.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently revised its recommendations for the use of HPV vaccines. The statement entitled “HPV Vaccine Recommendations”, in the March 2012 Pediatrics, states that not only girls, but boys also, should be receiving vaccines.
Currently, two vaccines for HPV are available – Gardasil and Cervarix; they are both 3-time doses of shots. According to experts, the vaccine should be received before the adolescent becomes sexually active. These vaccines guard against HPV-16 and HPV-18, which are the causes of 60% of vaginal cancers, 70% of cervical cancers and 80% of anal cancers. These 2 types of HPV are also accountable for certain rare genital cancers and HPV oral induced cancers.
To date, there are no treatments for HPV, only treatment for the health problems associate with it. Usually, to determine if a female has HPV, doctors use a pap smear to find out whether the patient has abnormal cells. There are no reported recommended tests for men, however, doctors can examine the male’s genital area to see if any visible signs indicate HPV.
Dr. Michael Brady, from the American of Pediatrics says:
“What we are hoping will come out of this is that we can push this as a cancer vaccine. We now have the ability to interrupt the transmission and the development of cancer.”
Parents have been skeptical in the past of their children receiving the vaccine, with some schools administering it in the nurse’s office starting as early as grade 4. However, this vaccine can help prevent serious help problems down the line, and many states have approved the vaccine to be administered in schools.
Written By Christine Kearney