Gardasil: has your daughter had this vaccine?

gt4everpn, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2007

I got the 1st dose of the vaccine 2 mo ago, I feel fine but I don't worry about long term effects, they say they have no indication that it causes any, but of course things can change. I think the vaccine is a good preventative measure against cervical cancer. Males are not targeted because this vaccine is for cervical ca, and men don't have cervixes. My friend had an abnormal pap, so I don't see any harm in getting the vaccination.

TazziRN, RN · Apr 25, 2007

Nope, and I would not recommend it for my daughter unless her doc (whom I trust implicitely) suggested it.

jnj818 · Apr 25, 2007

Its my understanding that it is not a vaccine against cervical cancer but against HPV which is a major risk factor for cervical cancer. Wouldn't there be even bigger implications if it were a vaccine against cancer?

allnurses Guide · Apr 25, 2007

There was a recent article in the Wall Street Journal about some of the negative side effects of this vaccine but of course I can't remember details and I'm at work so can't access the WSJ.

Right now - I'm not getting it for my 17 y.o. daughter.

Men carry the virus for HPV - that is how we get it - why wouldn't a vaccine work for them too?

steph

jnj818 · Apr 25, 2007

I believe that I read that they are still researching its use in men. Don't know how long ago that was though.

VieraGrl1030 · Apr 25, 2007

Isnt it true that you can't get the vaccine if you already have the strain that causes cancer. My best friend was just diagnosed and she is very worried and she asked me and I haven't got any real answers for her and I haven't been able to find any. She is very depressed and now she thinks that she is def. going to get cancer and die. It is very hard for me to console her. Any help would be great.

TazziRN, RN · Apr 25, 2007

Okay, Viera Girl, your friend definitely needs to have a talk with her doc, and soon. Cervical cancer is a curable one if it's caught in time. That means annual exams.

VieraGrl1030 · Apr 25, 2007

Okay, Viera Girl, your friend definitely needs to have a talk with her doc, and soon. Cervical cancer is a curable one if it's caught in time. That means annual exams.

i have told her this... i think it just needs time to settle in. i am going to keep tabs and she knows i am here if she needs to talk.

jennyfyre · Apr 25, 2007

I have two daughters ages 20 and 17. Our family physician suggested it for both of them... the 20 year old declined it and the 17 year old decided it was a good idea, so she just got her second dose today. They were both given the information and made up their own minds about it. I don't think I would have pressed them to do it unless it was okayed by our MD. Funny thing is that the 20 yr old is sexually active and the 17 yr old isn't yet! Go figure.

PeachPie · Apr 25, 2007

Men carry the virus for HPV - that is how we get it - why wouldn't a vaccine work for them too?

Exactly. I have a homosexual friend who contracted HPV-gone-ascending rectal cancer from his lover.

I'd like to get it as soon as I'm not so poor.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Apr 25, 2007

I think eventually it will be recommended for both sexes as a means of breaking the vector of infection.

I have encouraged both of my daughters to be vaccinated against this group of diseases.

I personally think that people need every tool possible to prevent acquisition of STDs. This includes honest sex ed beyond "just say no." including all types of contraceptives including barrier methods.

I don't condone premarital sex but I do condone teaching people how to take responsibility for their behaviors and to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy and disease.