1. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of around 150 viruses. Some HPV types can lead to wart formation and other types can lead to cancer; primarily cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and Oropharyngeal cancer (1,2)
2. HPV is so common that one out of four people (~80 million) are currently infected in the US. Around 14 million people, teens and adults, become infected with HPV every year. (1,2)
3. HPV can be obtained through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. (2)
4. Getting vaccinated for HPV before partaking in sexual activities can reduce the risk of getting infected by one of these viruses. HPV vaccines are very effective in preventing, but not treating, HPV infection. (3)
5. For preventative health reasons, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that preteens receive the HPV vaccine at around age 11 or 12 to receive the most benefit from the vaccine. (1,2,4)
6. Currently, three HPV vaccines have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Gardasil®, Gardasil® 9, and Cervarix®. Which of the three is used is determined case-by-case considering many different factors, including gender and age. (3)
7. A global social media network for doctors and other health care providers polling and survey company, SERMO, states that 55% out of 1,952 doctors believe “the HPV vaccine should be mandated by states in order to boost vaccination rates.” (5)
8. Currently in Washington State there is no HPV vaccine mandate,
What is the Human Papillomavirus? Commonly known as HPV, it is an infection that spreads through sexual contact. There are over one hundred different types of HPV; several types cause genital warts, while other high risk strands can lead to cancer of the cervix, anus, vagina, and penis. Because HPV is often asymptomatic, many people are unaware of their infection status, and thus, their potential for transmitting the virus to a sexual partner. The significance of the Human Papillomavirus is that fifty percent of Americans who are sexually active will contract it within their lives, and at any given point there are twenty million Americans already infected with it (“By the numbers: HPV Vaccine”).
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is very common throughout the United States and worldwide (World Health Organization (WHO), 2016). There are over 100 different forms of the virus with 13 of these types being capable of causing cancer (WHO, 2016). HPV can lead to the development of serious health problems. Theses health problems are especially an issue for adolescent women due to the highly increasing STD rates among this age group (Kostas-Polston, Johnson-Mallard & Berman, 2012). There is a vaccine for many of the common types of HPV, however, many parents are refusing to vaccinate their daughters for various reasons. With the rising cases of STDs, less birth
The unforgettable story of vaccines is a story of triumph and controversy. The saddest part of the story is persistent ignorance and a lack of education, comingled with the personal need of some parents to explain away the problems of their children, have caused the controversy to arise. The good news is that the triumphant reality of vaccines as a whole is still the larger enduring legacy. The human papillomavirus vaccine is not an exception to this rule; in fact despite all the controversy surrounding the vaccine, it is one of medicine’s greatest lifesaving gifts to us.
HPV is by far the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 50 percent of all sexually active men and women will get it at some point in their lives, and 20 million already have it. A vaccine is available that prevents 70% of cervical cancers that arise from sexual intercourse. The human papillomavirus is unknowingly common and is diagnosed in 10,000 women a year, causing 4,000 deaths per year (“HPV Question and Answers”). If we take the responsibility to vaccinate young girls and boys, to be safe, we can eliminate many unnecessary deaths. This vaccine is a great discovery that should be put to good use, the HPV vaccine should be mandated in young teens everywhere.
Though there are some vaccinations on the CDC’s recommended list for adults that will be less familiar than the flu and shingles shots, such as the HPV vaccine, which is meant to protect us from a sexually transmitted disease that has a very long name: human papillomavirus. It is perhaps surprising that about 79 million Americans contract HPV every year.
To require a vaccine for HPV to be taken to prevent cervical cancer is unnecessary. Ninety-five percent of people diagnosed with HPV never accumulate cervical cancer. Not enough people accumulate cervical cancer to make the vaccine a requirement. If more people obtained cervical cancer from HPV the requirement of the vaccine would be more appropriate. Due to the lack of cancer receivers the vaccine should be optional.
Since HPV is spread through sexual activity, many people believe requiring the vaccine unethical (Shi & Johnson, 2014). Recent studies have shown that groups who are at the highest risk for cervical cancer are the ones who have the lowest uptake of the HPV vaccine (Shi & Johnson, 2014). Required vaccines for school entry have been successful at making sure children are vaccinated before they enter school, regardless of their race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and geographic location (Shi & Johnson, 2014).
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a widespread sexually transmitted infection. Approximately 14 million Americans are infected with HPV each year ("HPV Vaccine for Preteens and Teens,"). HPV also causes several types of cancers, such as vaginal cancer and anal cancer. More than 27,000 women and men are affected by a HPV-related cancer annually ("The Link Between HPV and Cancer,"). The most common HPV cancers for women and men are cervical cancer, and oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers, respectively. Research has demonstrated that many cancers caused by HPV can be prevented by the HPV vaccine, which is administered in 3 doses over 6 months ("The
The authors of this research paper are Katlyn Scott, RN, MSc, and Mary-Lou Batty, RN, MSc. Even though this paper is written by the Nurse Practitioners, it is a meaningful source of information for RNs about barriers for implementation and lack of education about the use of the vaccines in the general population. The authors created this article in an attempt to investigate the reasons for the insufficient HPV vaccine immunization rates. This paper would be useful for community nurses, nursing and medical students, public health nurses, health promotion specialists, and managers.
HPV stands for genital human papillomavirus. It is a sexually transmitted virus and according to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC), “More than half of sexually active men and women (in the United States) are infected with HPV at some time in their lives.” (CDC) The National Cancer Institute says there are more than 200 types of HPVs. (Institute) At least 12 of those HPVs cause certain types of cancer, like vaginal and cervical, and genital warts. If you have an HPV virus it usually goes away on its own, and doesn’t have any symptoms. But if it doesn’t go away experts say it is responsible for many of the 10,000 yearly cases of cervical cancer, causing 4000 deaths each year. (CDC)
What is HPV (human papilloma virus)? HPV is the most common STI (sexually transmitted infection). There is a definite link with cervical cancer, which can cause other cancers. The Gardasil vaccine was approved in 2006 and the key age for this vaccine is eleven years old (Whitehead). Moreover, females can get vaccinated up to the age of twenty-six and the vaccine will still be effective. In, addition, males can be vaccinated up to the age of twenty-one and the vaccine will still be effective (Whitehead). However, vaccinations are still not widely accepted and often have a bad reputation associated with them which makes it harder to propose the idea of vaccination. When vaccinating younger children parents are the main controversy (Whitehead). Many parents do not feel the need to vaccinate their child against a sexually transmitted infection because the key age for this vaccination is eleven years old. Many parents do not want to think that their young child could ever be sexually active. However, the reason for vaccination at such a young age is to prevent HPV from ever being a problem. In addition, the vaccine, Gardasil, is effective against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 (FDA). Furthermore, there is a link between Gardasil vaccination and race within society as a whole. This link can widen racial inequality more than it diminishes racial inequality.
The HPV vaccine is cancer prevention. Over thousands of cases of HPV cancers are detected every year in men and women. The HPV vaccination is important because it can prevent these cancers. The United States Food and Drug Administration approved this vaccine and it is one hundred percent safe. This vaccine is preventive care for the second leading cancer in women. It has been proven to be one hundred percent effective in prevention of cervical cancer, but the vaccine must be given to children between the age of 11 -17 before they become sexually active. After the age seventeen with young women most become sexually active and receive their first pap smear from their gynecologist, receiving the vaccine at this point is not as effective in prevention of cancers. Another benefit of receiving the vaccine during adolescent, is it supports people who may not have the medical knowledge or access to regular medical services.
Among the many arguments for mandatory HPV vaccination, the foremost is that it is an important medical achievement and a major public health milestone. This vaccine has proven to be one-hundred percent effective in preventing the 4 HPV strains that are responsible for seventy percent of cervical cancers and ninety percent of genital warts. In addition, no serious side effects have been identified. Because this vaccine is a preventive measure, administration before onset of sexual activity is ideal; however, even females who have been sexually active can still benefit from this vaccination (Perkins et al., 2010). Nationally and internationally, the HPV vaccine will significantly reduce disease burden by reducing monetary and psychological costs of invasive procedures that remove precancerous and cancerous lesions. By combining vaccination with routine Pap smear screening, these public health efforts have the remarkable opportunity to eradicate cervical cancer (Ramet et al., 2011).
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) remains the most commonly sexually transmitted infection in both males and females. (Giuliano et al., 1999).
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV infection Is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by 30 to 40 of 130 or so strains of Human Papilloma Virus.