Should You Get the New COVID-19 Booster Shot?
A new vaccine was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s called the COVID-19, and it helps fight against the flu during cold and flu season. However, before you rush out to get this shot, there are some things you should know about it, especially if you have a history of serious adverse reactions to vaccines. Here’s everything you need to know about COVID-19 booster shots before you decide whether or not to receive them this year.
CDC Fact Sheet About HPV
* CDC: HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives. * CDC: Because HPV spreads through sexual contact, it is also possible to get HPV from a toilet seat or swimming pool, but this would happen very rarely. * CDC: Since most people have HPV in their bodies at any given time without showing symptoms or health problems, vaccines cannot cure someone who has been infected with HPV. * CDC: There are no current recommendations for routine screening for genital warts or cervical cancer using a Pap test (or other tests) among men who have sex with men (MSM). In general, MSM should consider having an anal pap smear if they have receptive anal intercourse; want to decrease the risk of acquiring HIV infection; or are concerned about getting anal lesions called anorectal warts. MSM can be screened for other STDs including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) by performing a physical examination and urine testing. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend circumcision as a method of reducing HIV transmission because there is not enough evidence on whether circumcision protects against HIV infection in MSM who primarily engage in insertive anal intercourse.
HPV Vaccines Prevent Cancer
The human papillomavirus is the most common STD, affecting about 12 million people in the US every year. More than 70% of sexually active adults are infected with some form of HPV. There are more than 150 types of HPV, and most infections don't show any symptoms and go away on their own. However, certain types of HPV (such as types 16 and 18) cause genital warts or can lead to cancer if they aren't treated. If a woman gets cervical cancer because she hasn't been vaccinated against HPV, she could develop cervical cancer that leads to infertility, pelvic radiation damage, bladder cancer or death from organ failure. On the other hand, women who have had two doses of vaccine before age 24 will get close to 100% protection from cervical cancer caused by HPV type 16 and 18. In fact, those who have had three doses of vaccine have virtually no chance of getting these strains of cervical cancer.
The vaccines are not just for girls. They also protect boys and men against anal cancers caused by HPV types 16 and 18 as well as prevent them from spreading it to female partners through oral sex. It's best for boys to be vaccinated at 11 or 12 years old before they become sexually active; however, they can still get the vaccine up until age 21! In summary, there are many benefits to vaccinating your children against HPV: better sexual health outcomes now and in the future, prevention of genital warts and precancerous lesions that might need treatment later on.
The CDC recommends all kids ages 11-12 should get two shots six months apart—but older teens can still catch up by making an appointment with their doctor today! One shot may not give you full protection so make sure you follow the guidelines below. And remember, even though there are side effects like pain or redness at the injection site and soreness around the mouth where you got the shot for a week afterwards, we're talking about potentially saving lives here.
So does your child qualify for vaccination? Here's what you need to know... What qualifies your child for vaccination?
If you have concerns about which HPV vaccine is right for your son or daughter, please speak to a healthcare professional first. Make sure your child has received 2 doses of the appropriate vaccine before his/her 23rd birthday. All males ages 11-12 years old should receive 2 injections 6 months apart and females ages 9-26 years old should receive 3 injections 6 months apart. Males 13-21 years old who did not receive 1 dose at least 6 months prior may still be vaccinated with one dose followed by another 3 doses at least 4 weeks later and females 13-25 years old who did not receive 1 dose at least 6 months prior may still be vaccinated with one dose followed by another 2 doses 4 weeks later.
The Side Effects of HPV Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all girls and boys who have not already been vaccinated should get at least two doses of the HPV vaccine. There are rare side effects to getting the vaccine such as fever, allergic reactions, or redness and swelling where you were vaccinated. If any side effects occur, contact your doctor or other healthcare provider right away. More common side effects of HPV vaccines include headaches, dizziness, tiredness and soreness where you were vaccinated. All these common side effect should disappear in a few days. It is recommended that you do not miss any school or work because of them. So, is it worth it? Yes! HPV can lead to cancer so make sure to go ahead with the vaccination if you haven't already done so. And if you know someone who hasn't had their shot yet, be sure to share this post with them so they can learn more about what it entails. COVID-19 booster shots are not given often, but when needed, there's plenty of information on how to proceed. Read on for more information about HPV boosters, including side effects and the need for it.
The CDC recommends that all people who have not already been vaccinated against HPV receive two doses of the vaccine six months apart (usually one between 11-12 years old). Side effects may include: fever, allergic reaction, pain or redness where administered.
Side effects are generally mild and temporary—generally lasting less than a week; most children experience no symptoms at all; while those affected usually return to normal within days without intervention. Serious health consequences are very rare.
The World Health Organization reports no serious health consequences of using Gardasil 9 in clinical trials to date.
In addition, many parents report very little in the way of negative side effects from either vaccine, which suggests that the benefits outweigh any potential risks by a considerable margin. Both Gardasil 9 and Cervarix have shown to provide long-lasting protection against HPV infection. Generally, two doses are sufficient for the duration of immunization. These HPV vaccines can help prevent cervical cancer and genital warts in both males and females. Gardasil also helps protect against anal cancers and some vaginal cancers caused by HPV. Although the risks are low, it’s still possible to contract one of these cancers even after being vaccinated. Gardasil does not cure existing HPV infections and cannot be used alone to treat existing ones. It will not offer any type of protection against diseases transmitted via sexual activity other than HPV-related diseases. Since HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B are transmitted sexually, individuals receiving Gardasil should use condoms during sexual activity or abstain from sex altogether until 4 weeks after the last dose has been received. Those who are allergic to yeast or beta lactam antibiotics like penicillin should consult a physician before receiving either vaccine since both contain small amounts of yeast protein derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells grown in culture media containing 2% dimethyl sulfoxide. Allergic reactions to Gardasil are rare, affecting only 1 in 10,000 to 100,000 recipients.
Reactions can include redness and swelling at the injection site, vomiting and stomach aches. Rarely, allergic reactions may cause hives or difficulty breathing.
Both HPV vaccines are expensive. The average cost of a course of HPV vaccine treatment ranges from $150-$300 per person in the United States depending on insurance coverage or ability to pay out-of-pocket.
COVID-19 booster shots are not given often, but when needed, there's plenty of information on how to proceed.
Why Some Women Avoid Vaccinating Their Daughters
The first vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) was introduced in 2006. The vaccine’s introduction followed a study that found two of three women who were sexually active before age 20, and who did not have previous exposure to HPV, contracted the virus within 5 years. Now, 12 years later, parents and doctors are facing another question about what’s best for their daughters: should they get a booster shot called CIVIQ9 (or COVID-19)? Some parents have been reluctant to have their daughter get it because of its cost and limited effectiveness. However, this new shot has shown promise in studies so far with 60% of females remaining unharmed by the HPV virus. That’s nearly twice as effective as the older version, Gardasil. It also costs less than half of Gardasil's price tag at $160. And while both shots require more than one dose, COVID-19 is recommended to be given in three doses over six months which is shorter than Gardasil's 3 doses over 6 months. Another thing to note is that once you've had either type of shot, your daughter will need to wait six months before getting pregnant just like those who haven't received any vaccinations. If she gets pregnant before then, there may be increased risk of birth defects such as neural tube defects or facial paralysis. So far though, studies on pregnancy rates following vaccination have yielded mixed results depending on region, age group and whether or not other vaccines were administered alongside CIVIQ9. Researchers still recommend that you speak with your doctor to find out what's best for your family based on your specific situation and concerns. Though more research needs to be done, this newest option from Merck offers an affordable option to parents looking for ways to protect their children from the dangerous effects of HPV. Currently, 9.2 million people are infected with HPV annually in the United States alone--with 2/3 of them contracting it from a sexual partner. After contracting the virus, 4 out of 10 people don't even know they have it due to the common misconception that HPV can only lead to cervical cancer. In reality, however, cervical cancer accounts for less than 1% of all cancers caused by HPV infection; but does account for 3% of all cancers among women worldwide. Aside from cancer risks and costly medical bills incurred if left untreated, contracting this infection can also lead to serious health problems such as infertility and mental retardation--not only affecting themselves but generations ahead since some infections pass through fetuses during pregnancy and can cause life-long disabilities in unborn babies. HPV can also cause oral and throat cancers. Furthermore, the virus can increase your chances of developing a low-grade skin lesion that progresses to cancer and often occurs in areas exposed to sun. For example, fair-skinned people who have spent significant time in the sun can develop skin lesions known as actinic keratoses, especially on the back of their hands. One last thing to consider before making a decision is how long protection lasts. Gardasil provides long-term protection for up to 8 years with CIVIQ9 providing protection for five years. This means that it may take more than five doses of COVID-19 over the course of 10 years for it to provide as much immunity as Gardasil does in 8 years--a choice many parents are opting for after considering these facts. Gardasil is currently the most popular HPV vaccine in the U.S., but Merck's COVID-19 is catching up quickly and with such a wide range of information, it can be difficult to decide what's best for your daughter. Though there has been no conclusive evidence showing which one is better, many doctors recommend going with Gardasil because of its widespread popularity and history of successful results. Others prefer going with COVID-19 because it costs significantly less than Gardasil. And finally, others choose to forego vaccination altogether, opting instead for an individualized risk assessment and alternative ways to reduce risk like safe sex practices or limiting exposure to UV rays. No matter which way you go about it though, make sure you've read up on both vaccines so you can make an informed decision that fits best for your daughter--without regrets!
The vaccine is designed to stop a virus that can cause cervical, vaginal, penile, and head-and-neck cancers as well as many benign growths in the cervix. There are more than 100 different strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) but certain ones—namely HPV types 16 and 18—can lead to cancer. Gardasil protects against four different strains of HPV and CIVIQ9 protects against nine. Gardasil also protects your child from the more high-risk strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts while COVID-19 only blocks lower risk strains related to cancer development. With this being said, the CDC recommends girls get three shots of Gardasil over six months starting at age 11 or 12 and boys should get two shots at age 11 or 12; they'll need a third shot six months later. The key difference between COVID-19 and Gardasil is that while COVID-19 offers protection against all stages of infection including those leading to cancer, Gardasil guards against only early stages. If you're unsure whether getting vaccinated will give your daughter adequate protection, speak with her doctor who will offer unbiased advice based on her medical history.
Who Should Get the New HPV Vaccine
Anyone who was born in 1997 or later. Since HPV is sexually transmitted, males who have sex with males are also encouraged to get vaccinated. In order to be immunized against most of the strains of HPV that cause cancer, you should get three doses of the vaccine spaced out over six months. The shot lasts for at least eight years and will provide protection against nine different types of cancer caused by HPV. Those receiving this vaccination may see some side effects such as a sore arm where the shot was administered or a fever. These side effects only last one day and can be treated with over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen. While not all adults need this vaccination, it's important to know your risk factors and make an informed decision. If you're already infected with HPV, there's no point in getting the vaccine because it won't protect you from what you already have. If you're pregnant, speak to your doctor before taking any action. Other than being exposed to HPV during childbirth, the CDC doesn't recommend any other instances when someone would need to take the vaccine. However, if you have a compromised immune system due to an illness or HIV/AIDS diagnosis, talk to your physician about getting the new COVID-19 booster shot. The CDC recommends both women and men receive the first dose of HPV vaccine around age 11 or 12 before they are likely to become sexually active. For those who were vaccinated but did not respond, another dose could be given between ages 15 and 26.
What About Men Who Have Sex With Men: A 2015 study found that homosexual men were just as likely to have a positive test result for HPV after their first year of sexual activity without using condoms compared to heterosexual men. They are also more likely to contract HPV from anal intercourse and oral sex. To prevent these risks, these individuals should use condoms during every sexual encounter and visit an STD clinic annually for screening. Condoms alone do not offer full protection though so vaccinations still remain a valuable option. It's also possible for gay men to pass on HPV even if they don't have anal or oral sex so it's best for them to continue condom use as well. There are many misconceptions about HPV, which has led to low rates of uptake among adolescent boys and girls. One misconception is that it's only necessary for girls to get the vaccine. There are two main reasons why everyone needs the vaccine: firstly, because 80% of people with genital warts are male; secondly, since genital warts (and therefore HPV) can appear on both sexes' genitals (in females it shows up as abnormal cells), everyone needs protection against infection. Another myth is that getting the virus means nothing—in reality 75% of cases go away within two years while 25% will progress into precancerous lesions and eventually cancer. Bottom line: if you're younger than 27 then talk to your healthcare provider about whether or not you should receive this vaccine! The COVID-19 vaccine is meant to be a high priority for children, especially girls. Girls are more likely to develop HPV-related cancers than boys, so the vaccine is very effective for girls. The COVID-19 vaccine should be provided to anyone who is a sexually active female, or is sexually active with a partner who is also not vaccinated. If you have HIV, AIDS, or any kind of immunodeficiency it's also recommended that you get the COVID-19 vaccine. It's also recommended that men who have sex with men get the HPV vaccine to reduce their chances of developing cancer as well. HPV is something we should be aware of and guard against because of its prevalence and severity.
Other Prevention Tips
Some preventative measures you can take to reduce your risk of contracting chickenpox include: wash your hands regularly, be in a crowded space, and keep up to date with vaccinations. Additionally, make sure to avoid contact with those who have it by staying away from them and their belongings (such as clothes, toys, brushes), and don't share items such as utensils or toys with someone who has it.
Coca virus is transmitted person-to-person through droplets from coughing or sneezing. It is also possible for an infected person to pass on the disease if they touch items that other people may then come into contact with. To help stop this type of transmission, do not go near anyone who has the infection and do not touch anything that might have been contaminated with any bodily fluids.
In countries where coca viruses are widespread (and even some where they are not) regular hand washing is important to help reduce infections. If you do get close to someone with the infection, always wash your hands after touching them or anything they might have touched before touching yourself or others without first washing your hands again.
If you're traveling abroad - especially where coca viruses are present - be careful when visiting friends and family so as not to catch the illness from someone else and bring it back home to spread further within your community. There's no need to worry about catching it from food, either; there's no evidence to suggest that coca viruses can survive outside the body for long periods of time. So just be vigilant about practicing safe hygiene habits! The booster shot will protect you from one strain of coca virus but there are many strains out there. The vaccine offers 85% protection against CVID-19, 70% protection against other coca strains. That's why the vaccine is often given in two doses 6 months apart, which increases its effectiveness to 90%. For example, between 1991 and 2000 WHO estimated that more than 10 million people were saved due to CIVC-7 vaccination efforts. Of course it's better than nothing at all!
And finally... thanks for reading my blog post today! I hope this helps clear things up a little bit. Remember to stay well hydrated, wash your hands frequently, and most importantly stay calm!
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