What do you know about HPV and the vaccine, Gardasil?

This was asked on a parenting forum I am a member of, and I thought I would ask it here.

What do you know about HPV and the vaccine, Gardasil?

Have you been vaccinated?

Will your daughters be, or have they already been, vaccinated?

Personally, I think that the vaccine is a good thing but I am choosing to opt out of it for my daughter until we know any long term side effects it might have. My pediatrician supports this decision for his patients.

I know that Gardasil prevents a few strains of HPV, which COULD lead to cervical cancer. (Having those strains of HPV does not gurantee that you will end up with cervical cancer, nor is all cases of cervical cancer caused by HPV-I believe the media misrepresents those facts).

While we can not guarantee they would do it, teaching our children to limit their sexual partners and to practice safe sex is just as effective at preventing HPV, which is sexually transmitted, as this vaccine.

As of yet, it is unknown how long the vaccine is effective-boosters might later be necessary. And, as I alreayd mentioned, there is not a clear understanding or knowledge of any longterm side effects.

I will probably skip it, it is still relatively new and though my daughter is only 3 months, i dont think i will get it for her when shes older. I'm all about teaching abstinence. and for those of you who say that doesnt work, kids are gonna have sex, i waited til i was 19 and have only been with a few partners

I had seriously considered it for myself before I found out I was pregnant. Then, I got pregnant and knew I couldn't do it then. Anyways, several weeks ago I was reading foxnews and saw that four girls between the ages of 12 and I think 24 died after recieving the shot. However, they couldn't certainly link their death to the vaccination. It just didn't seem like a coincindence to me. So, now I am really stuck on wheather I will get it or not. I have heard it is more for women who have multiple partners. I am married and have always been faithful to my husband, as I now he has to me too. I am split down the middle. A family friend is dying from cervical cancer right now, and it is hard to see.

I finished my last dose just a few weeks ago.

And whenI have daughters, they can have it too.

I know that HPV is a virus and in a lot of girls it stays there and works itself out, but for some it turns into cervical cancer. The vaccine helps protect against four strains of the virus, the ones that most commonly become cervical cancer (which is very painful to treat/get rid of).

Getting it HURTS! Moreso than a lot of other vaccines. But it's way better than getting cervical cancer. :)

As far as I know though, boosters aren't necessary. That's what we were told by the doctors and nurses. If you are worried about the safety and side effects, keep in mind that ALL vaccines present the same dangers. So, if you have already given them a bunch of vaccines, then one more won't hurt, and it can certainly help in the long run! No matter how clean anyone looks, they can always have an STD, and HPV is no exception. So even if your girls are very careful, they can still be at risk.

I think getting it is a good idea.

I know That HPV is transmitted through the first act of intercourse and this can lead to cervical cancer in some, but not all women. When I had it my doc said that even if a nun had sex, this is how they'd tell, she'd have the virus.

Mine went from HPV to genital warts which were removed and then it bloomed in to cancer, I had to get the leep surgery and lost my entire cervix.

It cost me 3 miscarriages and two premature births, one lived, one died.

My sister had it too, but hers spread farther into her body than mine did, so she got the leep surgery and they had to go in from her belly to get the rest of it....cost her 2 kids.

I recommend the vaccine...see for me and other people who have experienced this, that vaccine has nothing to do with sex..it's protecting our children from the pain, cancer and possible loss of their future children. Women without their cervix or "cork" are more likely to loose their babies before they come to term.

My last pregnancy I had to get a cerclage, but even that didn't hold out, my kid was born two months early, had to stay in the hospital for a whole two months and went through two surgeries to keep her alive.

I think people who have not experienced this painful ordeal, or the after effects couldn't possibly understand., but as for me who has had it, suffered through cancer, surgeries, lost 4 babies and has to get re-checked every single year, I understand the importance of this vaccine.

If we had it then, I probably would have my other children.
I don't want my kids to get this and since my girls' chances have doubled, they are getting the vaccine, my oldest got hers at 11 a few months ago, My youngest will have to wait until she's older, but she's getting it too because I love them and I don't want them to suffer like I did.

It is a choice for the parent to make, your decision is up to you, as mine was for me, my daughter didn鈥檛 have any ill effects from the vaccine what so ever and now we have hope for her future and my future grandchildren.

I know what you are saying but when I was 23 I had cervical cancer and went through a lot of pain and grief with the treatments. Both of my sisters also had cancerous cells in the cervix and my mother had a complete hysterctomy at 35 because of what started as cervicval cancer so for me it was worth it to go ahead and vaccinate my daughter. Yes there is risk from the shots but with our history I had to weight what provided a greater risk.

Parents know their children and they know what is best for them. i do not feel it is the public or a doctors choice to make I feel it is the parents and if you feel there is not enough medical information right now then you should wait, never jump into something if you have any doubts what so ever.

There is also the misconception that it is caused from sleeping around and this is untrue. Even if you are with the same person your entire life you can get the virus and you can get the cancer it causes. Unless you have went through the cancer treatments then you do not know the fear of it and as other poster said it can severly affect you ability to carry a child. It all boils down to doing what YOU think is best for YOU and YOur child.

I actually go to the University of Rochester which is credited with forming the vaccine. So every time I go to see my gynecologist, I get accosted by her trying to have me get it done. They are really pushing to get this vaccine. I however am slightly hesitant because long term effects are not known yet. I swear every time I go to the doctor's though, they ask me at least once. If I have a daughter I plan to wait until she is old enough to decide if she wants to have the vaccine. I really don't think it should be mandated until all known risks are found and until some of the "bugs" related with it are worked out, such as suspected blood clotting. I am currently doing my own research on the drug and based on that will decide whether I want to have it. I've even talked to some of the guys that worked on it, but I'm still not entirely convinced. I do think the vaccine is great however, I just think more needs to be looked into regarding its effects.

I think the vaccine is a great way to protect our kids.I don't think it should be forced on anyone, but the parent should weigh the factors, including the cancer risk in your own family line. My girls are getting it, even if they never have sex, they'll still get it. Protection from cancer doesn't come around too often, I'm jumping on this one.

And from what I read from K.A.S. and semoangel70, I know I'm making the right choice, I don't want to suffer like that and I don't want my kids to either.

(P.S. I was also told from my doctor that HPV comes from the first act of sex, my doctor said it was a kind of marker in the body to tell if sex has taken place, since the hymen is easily broken, this is the best test to see if your kids are actually having sex.)

GO GAURDASIL !!!