The HPV Vaccine

Despite some beliefs, this study shows no increase in sexual activity when girls receive the HPV vaccine.

(Photo: +Shutterstock via original article at http://goo.gl/t2iWXi)

Remember when it was a hot-topic a few years ago during the 2012 presidential election? Candidates, politicians, and parents all argued that a vaccine for girls would encourage them to have sex. The vaccine, which guards against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), got a bad rap from many conservative groups. The controversy has since died down and a new study reveals that a lot of those fears may be irrational. The study cites no increase in sexual behavior among teen girls that receive the vaccine and not as many misconceptions as some parents believed. Researchers hope that it will encourage parents to get their sons and daughters protected.

Although it is primarily known for women, the vaccine protects against both males and females. To learn more about the virus, the vaccine, and the study, read the article below. Have you had your child vaccinated yet?

The original article is available here: http://goo.gl/t2iWXi


Read a preview of the article from +Medical Daily:

Despite many parents’ fear that acknowledging their daughters’ sexuality may cause her to make riskier decisions when it comes to sex, a new study suggests that one concession in particular — getting young teen girls vaccinated for HPV (human papillomavirus) — produces far safer outcomes than ignoring it. 

A common misconception in parenting is that exposing children to a specific subject necessarily makes that thing more desirable, especially if parents forbid it. Sex is one of those things. Yet despite the fact HPV is far and away the leading cause of cervical cancer worldwide, and that nearly all sexually active adults will contract the virus at some point in their lives, many parents refuse to get their children vaccinated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all boys and girls aged 11 or 12 should receive the vaccine. Read more