"What's the deal with the HPV vaccine?"
There
are lotsa wacky rumors flying around right now about the HPV vaccine, a
series of shots that can help prevent cervical cancer. We chatted up
one of our fave doctors to help set the record straight. Here, Dr.
Joanna K. Dolgoff gives her opinion on the vaccine:
“The HPV vaccine is very safe. The studies are unequivocal and it is
not, in fact, at all controversial within the medical community. Over 35
million doses of HPV have been given -- and only 0.05% of patients noted
any side effects; the side effects that did occur were mostly swelling,
fever, fainting and nausea. There have not been reports of mental
retardation following the HPV vaccine.”
The vaccine is by no means a green light to have sex and it certainly
doesn’t protect you from all STDs, pregnancy or even all forms of HPV.
But, it can protect you from a few common (and potentially deadly) forms
of the disease. Remember to chat with your doc and your parents to
figure out what’s best for you. Here’s more to read on the subject.
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POSTED IN disease, cancer 101, doctor, health