Teen Girls Think They are Safe from STDs After HPV Vaccines

The vaccine for Human Papillomavirus is lowering the HPV rates in teens'.  This has led 1 in four teenage girls to falsely believe that the vaccine will help protect them against other sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and more.  A brand new study says that a quarter of teen girls believe that the vaccination will also lower the risk of contracting other infections.

The study involved 339 girls aged 13 to 21 with 60% being sexually active.  The sexually active group received their first of three HPV shots.



The study emphasises that doctors need to keep teen patients and their parents informed on the fact taht the vaccine will not protect against other sexually transmitted infections.  Safe sex is still the best method to reducing the risk of contracting STIs.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.  Nearly 30% of the sexually active females between the age of 14 to 19 have contracted HPV.  The CDC recommends that all girls and boys aged 11 and 12 get the HPV vaccination.  The treatment comes in a series of 3 shots.  If you need more information you should visit your doctor or visit the CDC (Center for Disease Control And Prevention).