Cervical Cancer Jab..?

I haven't had one yet and wanted to know a little more about it. I've heard loads of different stories and wanted to clear up what was true and what wasn't.

I heard that you can't have it if your not a virgin with or without a condom and if you have it it's a waste of time and it can be dangerous to have it without being a virgin. (surely you don't definitely get the virus or whatever it is from having sex with anyone?)

I've heard you can have it if you've used a condom and it will be just as affective as it was with a virgin.

I've also heard that there's a chance you could of began to get the virus that leads to the cancer or denature your cells through "heavy petting."

Please could you help me clear up this? Thankyouu!

I heard that you can't have it if your not a virgin with or without a condom and if you have it it's a waste of time and it can be dangerous to have it without being a virgin. (surely you don't definitely get the virus or whatever it is from having sex with anyone?)

You can have it whether you've had sex or not, I still got it and I have a daughter, I'm quite obviously not a virgin. Whilst having sex reduces it's effectiveness by something like 20%, it's still worth having. It covers you from two of the viruses that cause cervical cancer, these two viruses cause 70% of cervical cancer, so even if I'm only 50% protected against them, it's better than nothing.

I've heard you can have it if you've used a condom and it will be just as effective as it was with a virgin.

It makes no difference whether you used a condom or not, you should look into getting this jab, most schools are doing it, with parental consent, or without if you are over 16.

I've also heard that there's a chance you could of began to get the virus that leads to the cancer or denature your cells through "heavy petting."

No, like all immunisations, HPV is a dead or only slightly alive virus, it gives your body the chance to make the antibodies it needs to protect you if you get the real virus without actually harming you. Heavy petting will make no difference to your HPV jabs at all.

Just remember if you have the first one, you need to carry on and get the other two, otherwise you're not protected.

Just in case you hear the horror stories, the NHS is NOT using the Gardisil vaccine, it's using the Cervarix vaccine instead. Gardisil is being used in the U.S.A. and has in some case been attributed to deaths, but no-one is completely sure. Cervarix IS vigorously tested, it IS safe, and it WILL protect you.

"Are there any side effects of the vaccine?

As with most vaccines, the most common side effect is mild to moderate swelling, redness and pain at the site where the injection is given. Other mild side effects, such as slightly raised temperature, sickness, dizziness, diarrhoea and muscle aches have been reported.

Very rarely, as with most vaccines, some people have an allergic reaction soon after immunisation. This reaction may be a rash or itching affecting part or all of the body. The nurse will know how to treat this. It is not a reason to stop having HPV vaccinations.

Even more rarely, people can have a bad reaction, within a few minutes of the injection usually, with breathing difficulties and collapse. This is called an anaphylactic reaction. These are extremely rare and the nurse or doctor is trained to deal with vaccine anaphylactic reactions. Individuals recover completely with treatment, usually within a few hours."

For more help and advice visit the NHS website for the vaccine: http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/...

The Gardisil Vaccine protects against HPV which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The reason it is recommended for younger girls is because it doesn't do anything if you already have HPV - which is an STD.
Even if you aren't a virgin you can (and should) still get the shot.

As far as heavy petting - HPV can be spread through oral.