posted
I was reading about cervical cancer vaccinations (HPV vaccination) and they said that the vaccine works best for females that are not sexually active, but can still work if you dont have all of the 4 HPVs that causes 70% of cervical cancer.
I've had oral sex ("blowjob") with my boyfriend and I was wondering if this counts as being sexually active. We're both virgins and have only been exposed to each other (we're each other's first girlfriend/boyfriend) and I'm also wondering if I could have gotten HPVs or any STIs? It's been nearly a year now and there aren't any symptoms of anything...
Posts: 5 | From: Hong Kong | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Yes, this counts as being sexually active. It is possible to contract/transfer STD's without inercourse, or even without having had a sexual partner, but the risk is significantly decreased. It never hurts to make sure and get STD screenings for both you and your partner, though.
I think you may have misread a little. What you probably read was that the Gardasil vaccine is best administered before becoming sexually active. It is still very effective for those who ARE sexually active, as long as they do not have HPV of any type. It is not going to be very effective is administered to someone who IS already infected.
So, by all means, we recommend Gardasil if it's something you're willing to do.
Let us know if you have any more questions after reading the articles.
-------------------- Vero Scarleteen Volunteer Help sustain sex ed and Scarleteen: donate! Posts: 1345 | From: Canada | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
If you get the gardasil vaccine without knowing whether you're infected with any of the four strains of HPV it contains, will it be harmful to you if you are actually infected with one of them?
Posts: 1 | Registered: Dec 2011
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Robin Lee
Volunteer Assistant Director
Member # 90293
posted
HI teenytiny and welcome to Scarleteen,
The vaccine is ideally recommended for people who have not yet engaged in sexual activity so would not have been exposed to any of the HPV strains the vaccine provides protection against. However, I don't know of any evidence that shows that the vaccine is dangerous if one is already carrying an strain of the virus. This would be a good question to ask your health care provider.
For future reference, we do ask that people create their own thread for posting a question rather than posting in old threads. You can create your own thread by clicking on the "post new topic" link on at the top of any page on the forum. Thanks.
-------------------- Robin Posts: 4401 | From: Washington DC suburbs | Registered: Dec 2011
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