Are There Vaccines That Protect Against STDs?
Posted: Mar 29th, 2016 at 05:40PM
There are currently three vaccines that can help protect you and your children against certain sexually transmitted diseases. These include HPV, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. Protect yourself and your family with these potential life-saving vaccinations.
HPV
Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV) is a virus that is passed on through direct person-to-person contact with an infected person, typically through sexual contact. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States with a suspected 6.2 million individuals infected each year. More than half of all sexually active individuals are infected with HPV at some point in their life. Most types of HPV cause warts on the skin (including the genitals), and certain types can cause cervical cancer including the two most common types of cervical cancers. HPV infection is also associated with other types of cancers such as vulva, vaginal, penile, and anal. Studies support that there may be a link between HPV and some types of oral and pharyngeal cancers as well. Once infected, an individual may clear the infection spontaneously, but a small portion of the population will develop a persistent infection.
It is estimated that 20 million people are currently infected with HPV and that 6.2 million new cases occur each year in the United States. The age group between 15-24 years of age make up about 75% of new infections and up to 64% of adolescent girls are believed to be infected.
HPV vaccine is recommended for children between the ages of 11 and 12, but may be given as early as nine years old. It is recommended that this age group receive the HPV vaccine because the response to the vaccine is better in this age group. It is also important for children to receive HPV vaccine before sexual contact takes place.
HEPATITIS A
Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver caused by a virus. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is spread through fecal-oral transmission meaning it can be spread by unhygienic food handling or poor water treatment. Although very rare, HAV can also be spread through blood transfusion and sexual contact.
Nationwide epidemics of HAV occur in the United States approximately every 10 years. Rates of HAV infection in the United States has been steadily declining since 1995 which is attributed to high vaccination rates.
Groups at increased risk for Hepatitis A infection are men who have sex with men, and people who use illegal street drugs.
HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver caused by a virus. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is spread through contaminated blood and other bodily fluids, but can also live on objects for up to seven days. In the United States, approximately 2,000 to 4,000 people die each year from complications of HBV such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is estimated that approximately 1.4 million people in the United States are infected with HBV.
Rates of HBV infection in the United States has been steadily declining since the 1980s which is attributed to high vaccination rates and HIV prevention efforts. The CDC reports that approximately 5,000-8,000 individuals become chronically infected with HBV each year.
Groups at increased risk for Hepatitis B infection are individuals whose partners are infected with Hepatitis B, men who have sex with men, and people who use illegal street drugs.
e7 Health carries the HPV, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine in stock in our Las Vegas locations. Call us today to schedule your appointment and get protected.
E7 staff are very professional & friendly! I had an appointment & didn’t have to wait. The appointment (blood draw) took less than 10...
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