Is vaccination against the human papillomavirus a good idea?
Of course you take your daughter’s health seriously, and whether or not to vaccinate against the human papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, is a question that shouldn’t be taken lightly. The virus can be sexually transmitted and cause genital warts and cervical cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that at least 50 percent of sexually active people will get HPV during their lifetime. HPV is most common in young women and men who are in their late teens and early 20s. In accordance with the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Student Health Services recommends HPV vaccination among females aged 9 to 26 years. Because HPV is often acquired soon after the onset of sexual activity, vaccination should ideally occur before a woman becomes sexually active. Student Health Services provides vaccinations for HPV. The vaccine, Gardasil, protects against four HPV types, which together cause 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent o
