The governor there is trying to force through legislation that legally requires ALL girls at age 12 to be forced to receive the vaccine(it is for Human Papilloma Virus that leads to cervical cancer). The parents are in an uproar because the government is taking away their parental rights (which I agree with). What do you think about this? Logical answers please!
Also, HPV is spread through sexual contact, which means boys get it and then spread it too. If it is going to become a standard vaccine, then shouldn't boys also be required to receive it!?
2007-03-30 22:50:29 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
*This is my personal opinion*
I think it's a great idea to have all young girls get the vaccine. I was diagnosed with HPV when I was 17 years old. I had no clue what it was or what it could cause, just like many young girls. Most young girls tend to be pretty naive about sex, STDs and pregnancy.
The same year I was diagnosed with HPV I developed cervical cancer from it. My parents were absolutely crushed. I was worried (especially being the only girl in the family) that I would never be able to have children of my own. Now I have to go to my OBGYN every 4 months. I have been doing this for the last 6 years and I have been fighting this thing ever since! Not only is it annoying but it was one of the most painful things I have ever gone through. It's an awful STD and I don't understand why so many people are against something that could save thousands of lives!
I read that in 2006, 10,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer. Of those 10,000 women, 4,000 of them will die from it. Why wouldn't parents want to save their girls from ever contracting such a horrible disease?
And, they actually are doing trials on boys with the vaccine. It hasn't been approved yet, but I'm sure it will be pretty soon.
2007-03-30 23:41:08 · answer #1 · answered by Alli 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You know what I honestly think people wont be happy unless they actually get this STD.. Before I got diagnosed with HPV, I heard a friend talk about it and blew it off like it was nothing. Now that I have it, how do you think I look at this? This is not a game. I think the government is seeing a societal problem and are trying to minimize the effects of the population before it consumes women and eventually hits the men as hard as it does the women. There are over 100 strands of HPV so far. That was reported in the present time. What about 5-10 years later? I think maybe thats where the government is going with this, and they have a right to. Fathers cannot possibly understand what this virus is about. Men dont even really have symptoms of this, but PASS it and then the women have to deal with it, you see. So for a father to make a decision for his daughter or for parents to make a decision for their girls, I can only hope that they can deal with the consequences of their child getting this virus when they become sexually active (which WILL HAPPEN). There has to be an end to these kind of things and if REQUIRING people to administer vaccinations is too much to ask, then those people are just ASKING for their fair share of this lil annoyance. That goes for both men and women, but then again the men dont give a rats ***...
2007-03-31 19:29:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The fact that there is a debate at all is disturbing. This virus is extremely common, and although treatment methods are coming along quite well, prevention is the number one priority. Our children are vaccinated against polio, mumps, chicken pox, and numerous other viruses, for their health and safety. It is our responsibility as parents to care for our children and protect their well being, but unfortunately some parents would not be so responsible as to take their children in for vaccination on their own. I do agree that boys and girls sould both be vaccinated, but I was under the impression that the vaccine was only effective in women. I will research the vaccine, and modify my answer if I am incorrect. Regardless, the government is trying to control an uncontrollable virus, that can cause cancer, and is present in almost 80% of women. I was thrilled when I heard a vaccine had been created, and would be thrilled if it was made mandatory here in Indiana. I don't want my children to suffer with this disease as myself, my parents, and most of my friends are. Texas is trying to do the best thing for the kids, and the parents need to stop being so self-righteous and let the state help their children. It's not a legitimate issue for debate, it's just another case of a few bull headed people trying to prevent the government from taking matters into it's own hands. Those parents who are outraged should have themselves tested for the virus, and after seeing the high numbers of unknowing infections, they may change their opinions. It may not cause cancer most of the time, but if we can protect our kids from polio shouldn't we protect them from the risk of cancer as well? God bless Texas, and our children, we need to protect them from all that we can. I also need to address an issue I see in another answer, that men don't give a rats *** and don't suffer effects from this virus. True, men are commonly carriers with no signs, but there are strains that cause genital warts in men, and a very small number of men can get penile cancer from the virus. I speak from personal experience, and give my answers from medical research I have done on the virus. Some men do give a rats ***, so don't be so careless.
ADDITIONAL
I did search for Gardasil use in men, and found an article dated June 8th, 2006 that stated testing was being evaluated in both men and boys. A Merck spokeswoman was the contributor.
2007-04-06 04:42:02 · answer #3 · answered by amatakir 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think the effectiveness has been tested on boys yet but as far as I'm aware it is being worked on. Boys should be vaccinated too! People should never be forced to inject anything into their bodies if they don't want to, even if it's a vaccine that could at some stage save your life. I do believe all girls should have this vaccination but it is up to their parents and the individual.
2007-03-31 02:52:48 · answer #4 · answered by starla_o0 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well I'm not in Texas but this is what I think...
The vaccine prevents cancer, so it really could save people's lives. It should be treated much like the vaccines for polio and other diseases that have been cured in the past. Although I know this vaccine should probably have more testing before it is used widespread.
A parent can opt not to have their child vaccinated for any number of diseases, but please, don't moralize this issue. This is about cancer, and potentially saving women's lives.
2007-03-31 10:48:04 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋