I took my daughter to the doctor today, she is 12, for a sore throat.?

Question

They gave me a few pamphlets on a new shot actually a series of three she should get to prevent cervical cancer? Anyone out there have any info on this? She just seems so young ? I read the pamhlets, but they are just trying to sell you the vaccine. I 'd like to know if any other mothers out there have young girls and will you get them the shots or what do you think?

Answer 1

Well, the shot series is actually fairly new (as of 2006) - I can't even remember if it's FDA regulated yet (although if the physician gave you the pamphlets then it must be). Twelve is very young, therefore education from you and letting her know how special she is always is the number one way to prevent her from becoming sexually active (I'm in my mid-20s and am still waiting - hopefully for marriage - because my family always stressed the importance of waiting to me and I'm so thankful that they did). But, it's really just a preventative mechanism, as I'm sure you're aware of - just like any other vaccine. It's also better to be safe than sorry. I know it's difficult to even comtemplate administering the series of shots, because that could subconsiously be taken as 'she could become sexually active' although in my book, she should be married first :) - and like 30 :) (j/k). I suppose you could allow her to get the vaccine now, but she doesn't have to know the extent of it's purpose just yet...she didn't know what her DPT was for as a baby right?? It's just precationary and better safe than sorry. On the other hand, read up on it and check out the side effects too. Take care and good luck!!

Answer 2

It's not actually a cervical cancer vaccine. The shot will vaccinate your daughter against certain cancer-causing strains Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the most common STD (5.5 million reported new cases per year).

Most doctors are recommending having girls vaccinated before they start to become sexually active because HPV is so common, and of course, deadly if cancer-causing strains are contracted. These strains usually go undetected until the girl/woman has irregular Pap smear results.

I know your daughter is young, but I have known girls who became sexually active at her age. By no means am I saying that your daughter is, but there will come a time where she will begin having sex, whether premarital or not.

Unless your daughter is allergic to anything they put in the shot, it cannnot hurt to have her vaccinated. I'm going to get my vaccination as soon as I have the money. (I may only be 20, but I've taken human sexuality classes in college with a great deal of emphasis on STDs.)

Answer 3

I agree that 12 and sex don't seem like they go together, but you'd be surprised just how many 13 year olds are losing their virginity these days....it's very sad, but it's a reality. You should look at the bottom line with the vaccine...it prevents a deadly cancer. Some arguments say that it promotes promiscuity, but bottom line is that she will become sexually active when she wants to and it's better that she's protected from HPV/cervical cancer. That's what this vaccine does. To get it or not for her is up to you and it's very early in it's existance, but I'd rather know that my daughter was protected than not.

Answer 4

Oh no. Well, you won't get anywhere by self-diagnosing yourself with strep. That is the worst thing you can do. They are right, regular sore throats CAN get like this. It just depends how long they last for. It can just be a really BAD sore throat. So yeah it's not a regular sore throat but it is if you understand. It is no fun if you can't eat but that happens sometimes with sore throats. It shouldn't last for more than a day or 2. All you can do is try phoning older people you know or something and asking them.

Answer 5

She may SEEM young, but NOW is the time to do it BEFORE she becomes sexually active.

The shot is made to prevent infection of HPV (which causes cervical cancer). However, once she's been sexually active, the possibility of her being exposed is very high, since MANY people carry it and don't even know it (men and women both).

So she should be inoculated NOW before there's a chance of her having sex. And please don't get all uppity and say "My daughter would never...." Blah, blah, blah. Kids will be kids...its better to protect her against ALL possible contingencies than rely on maybe's.

Personally, I wish to God there'd been something like this when I was younger (I had cervical cancer), AND that I had a mother that gave even 1/10 of the care that you do.

Answer 6

Might want to come to the times and realize that your daughter is growing up and soon will be having sex unless she has moral values not too. Even then she might still. The normal age now adays for sexual contact is around 13 years old. You need to sit down and talk to her about sex and what to do to be safe. IE: condoms ect. Don't think she is above it. I am sure she knows someone in her classes that has already done something sexual. So allow her to get the vaccine. It protects against 3 HPV viruses that are causing caner. It lasts for a lifetime also. No need to wait. And PLEASE give the talk now before she ends up pregnant at 13.

Answer 7

Yes, the HPV vaccine. It's fairly new. But there are several types of HPV and the vaccines will prevent her from getting the ones that can cause cervical cancer. In fact, they are about to make it a law--just like other childhood immunizations.

Here's more info on it. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/HPV

Yes, she is young, but it is imperative that she get vaccinated at her age. I agree with reality-check-please. She's right.

Answer 8

Yes, I have heard that cervical cancer vaccine must be taken early in life, I think before sexual-intercourse age. I do not think they are trying to sell you anything !

Answer 9

Glad you took you daughter to the Doctor for a sore throat. At this time of year that is the best place to get one.

Answer 10

I am 23 years old and wish that this would have been around when i was younger. I am in remission for 2 years in March. Please think of her future. Read the pamplets, know what causes and protect. You decide whats right for your family, but walk on the side of caution, please.