| The HPV Virus Vaccine By Dr. Molly Rossignol |
These are but a few of the comments I have received when I have introduced the concept of a new vaccine targeted against certain strains of Human Papilloma
Virus (HPV).
“My mom wants me to get that cervical cancer vaccine”
“My sister, who is a nurse, told me NOT to let my daughter get that vaccine”
“I heard there are bad reactions to the vaccine”
“My daughter is only 11, she doesn’t even think about sex yet”
This vaccine is called Gardasil® and has been available since the spring of 2006. HPV is a virus that is spread by skin to skin contact, most commonly via sexual
contact. It is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the nation. It is estimated that up to 80% of sexually active persons will be infected with this virus.
There are high grade strains and low grade strains. The high grade strains are those that can lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, penis and anus. Nearly 4,000
women die yearly in the United States from cervical cancer. The low grade represent those that can lead to ano-genital warts.
The vaccine, which is only the second virus-like particle vaccine (Hep B was the first), has shown a near 100% efficacy in preventing pre-cancer in 21,000 study
participants age 16-26. The optimal time to administer this 3 part vaccine series is ages 8-14 with the intent to vaccinate prior to sexual activity and risk of
exposure. Even if a young woman has had sexual encounters and even if they have been infected it is still recommended that the vaccine be given. The vaccine is
NOT a cure for established infection and it is not a substitute for regular pap smears which screen for abnormal cells and cervical cancer.
There have been media reports regarding the safety of the vaccine. Of the 16 million doses distributed in nearly three years, there have been approximately 10,000
adverse events reported to the VAERS (Vaccine adverse event reporting system). Most of these are minor reactions including redness at the site, headache, fever
and nausea. More serious effects include fainting. It is recommended at this time that the patient remain in the office, seated for 15 minutes after the injection. The
overall reported events number fewer than those reported from other vaccines.
Dr. Molly Rossignol is a physician at Elliot Family Medicine at Hooksett. Call 624-8652 for an appointment. In following guidelines from the Center for Disease
Control Dr. Rossignol recommends this vaccine to her female patients ages 11- 26. She believes it is important that her patients be well informed. More
information can be reviewed at www.cdc.gov/std/hpv. For more information about the Elliot Health System go to www.elliothospital.org.
Virus (HPV).
“My mom wants me to get that cervical cancer vaccine”
“My sister, who is a nurse, told me NOT to let my daughter get that vaccine”
“I heard there are bad reactions to the vaccine”
“My daughter is only 11, she doesn’t even think about sex yet”
This vaccine is called Gardasil® and has been available since the spring of 2006. HPV is a virus that is spread by skin to skin contact, most commonly via sexual
contact. It is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the nation. It is estimated that up to 80% of sexually active persons will be infected with this virus.
There are high grade strains and low grade strains. The high grade strains are those that can lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, penis and anus. Nearly 4,000
women die yearly in the United States from cervical cancer. The low grade represent those that can lead to ano-genital warts.
The vaccine, which is only the second virus-like particle vaccine (Hep B was the first), has shown a near 100% efficacy in preventing pre-cancer in 21,000 study
participants age 16-26. The optimal time to administer this 3 part vaccine series is ages 8-14 with the intent to vaccinate prior to sexual activity and risk of
exposure. Even if a young woman has had sexual encounters and even if they have been infected it is still recommended that the vaccine be given. The vaccine is
NOT a cure for established infection and it is not a substitute for regular pap smears which screen for abnormal cells and cervical cancer.
There have been media reports regarding the safety of the vaccine. Of the 16 million doses distributed in nearly three years, there have been approximately 10,000
adverse events reported to the VAERS (Vaccine adverse event reporting system). Most of these are minor reactions including redness at the site, headache, fever
and nausea. More serious effects include fainting. It is recommended at this time that the patient remain in the office, seated for 15 minutes after the injection. The
overall reported events number fewer than those reported from other vaccines.
Dr. Molly Rossignol is a physician at Elliot Family Medicine at Hooksett. Call 624-8652 for an appointment. In following guidelines from the Center for Disease
Control Dr. Rossignol recommends this vaccine to her female patients ages 11- 26. She believes it is important that her patients be well informed. More
information can be reviewed at www.cdc.gov/std/hpv. For more information about the Elliot Health System go to www.elliothospital.org.
The Applaud Women publication is dedicated to women in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. It's purpose is to inspire, inform, and
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
The opinions and information provided within the Applaud Women publication or on the Applaud Women website are not necessarily those of Applaud Women, it's officers, staff or
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
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No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.
The Applaud Women publication is dedicated to women in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. It's purpose is to inspire, inform, and
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
The opinions and information provided within the Applaud Women publication or on the Applaud Women website are not necessarily those of Applaud Women, it's officers, staff or
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.