Vaccines Can Prevent Certain STD’s
Many vaccines are on the market today to prevent the spread of potentially deadly illnesses. What people don’t realize is that vaccines can prevent venereal diseases too. Before any sexual activity occurs, be sure to check the availability of certain vaccines to better protect yourself and others.
HPV
HPV is becoming more prevalent due to lack of education to people about this disease. It has over a hundred strains. A few of these strains can cause cancer of the cervix in females and or oropharygeal cancer in women and men. There are several different vaccines to prevent the strains that cause cancer.
Cervarix and Gardasil are the two readily available vaccines to combat this disease. Cervarix is a 3 shot series given to people ages 9 to 25 to females. It prevents two strains. Strains 16 and 18 are associated with cancer of the cervix. Gardasil is also a 3 shot series that can be given to both male and females. The ages these vaccines are given is 9 through 26. It prevents four strains. Strains 6, 11, 16, and 18. This vaccine is used to prevent cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. It also prevents genital warts in both male and females. It prevents an anal cancer that is caused by the strains 16 and 18.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a preventable disease that attacks the liver. It can be contracted from food and water but can also be contracted through analingus and or oro-anal intercourse. The vaccine is offered to everyone that is one year old or older. The vaccines, Vaqta, Havrix, and Twinrix, can prevent this disease. Vaqta and Havrix is a series of 2 shots. Twinrix is a 3 to 4 shot vaccine that also includes the vaccine for HAV and HBV. There is also an adult version for people 19 and older. It is also a 3 to 4 shot series.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is another disease of the liver that is prevented with a vaccine. HBV is spread through infected body fluids. These fluids are blood, vaginal fluids, semen, and menstrual fluids. Hepatitis B can be spread through IV drug use, contaminated tattoo tools, or between mother and child when the baby is born. Recombivax HB, Engerix B, and Twinrix are the 3 approved vaccines for this disease. Recombivax HB is a series of 2 vaccines that can be given to people that are 11 years of age to 15 years of age. Engerix-B is a series of 3 shots that is offered to anyone over one year old. Shot number two has to be given a month after the first shot. Then the 3rd shot follows 6 months after the first was given. Twinrix is a 3 to 4 shot series that also includes the vaccine for HBV and HAV. An adult version of this vaccine is available to people 19 or older.
It is important to get annual checks to ensure the safety of yourself as well as your partners. Getting these vaccines can prevent the spread of these diseases.