"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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by GL | 2/1/2016
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