Even if children are not sexually active, it's important for them to get the HPV vaccine.
Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. More than half of sexually active men and women are infected with HPV at some time in their lives.
About 20 million Americans are currently infected, and about six million more get infected each year. HPV is usually spread through sexual contact.
The Gardasil HPV vaccine is one of two vaccines that can be administered to prevent HPV. It may be given to both males and females.
This vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer in females if it is given before exposure to the virus. In addition, it can prevent vaginal and vulvar cancer in females and genital warts and anal cancer in both males and females.
Should your son get the HPV vaccine? Do you have concerns?
In this segment, Dr. Rodney Willoughby, Jr. eases your concerns and explains why the HPV vaccine is so important for our preteen children.
Selected Podcast
HPV & Boys: Should You Vaccinate?
Featuring:
Dr. Willoughby is a Professor of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin and on staff at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. He has been a member of the Red Book Committee since 2009. He has three children, 12, 11 and nine years of age.
Rodney Willoughby, Jr., MD
Dr. Willoughby is a Professor of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin and on staff at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. He has been a member of the Red Book Committee since 2009. He has three children, 12, 11 and nine years of age.