Smart Woman: HPV Vaccinations Recommenced for Boys and Girls
By: Lane Stone
Updated: February 27, 2012
The human papillomavirus, or HPV is the cause of a number of different health problems, including genital warts, cervical, mouth and throat cancer.
These viruses are the most common sexually transmitted viruses in the U.S. and they're found primarily in sexually active adolescents and young adults.
Now the American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending females and males at 11 to 12 years of age should have routine HPV vaccinations.
Doctors say the vaccine is most effective if administered before a child becomes sexually active, and responds better in the bodies of younger children, usually between the ages of 9 to 15.
Although some parents have been reluctant to have their children inoculated with another vaccine, because of possible side effects, researchers say they benefits outweigh the risks and immunizing children against HPV will prevent genital warts and certain cancers, when those children begin to have sex.
These viruses are the most common sexually transmitted viruses in the U.S. and they're found primarily in sexually active adolescents and young adults.
Now the American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending females and males at 11 to 12 years of age should have routine HPV vaccinations.
Doctors say the vaccine is most effective if administered before a child becomes sexually active, and responds better in the bodies of younger children, usually between the ages of 9 to 15.
Although some parents have been reluctant to have their children inoculated with another vaccine, because of possible side effects, researchers say they benefits outweigh the risks and immunizing children against HPV will prevent genital warts and certain cancers, when those children begin to have sex.
