Weren't we just wondering why Gardasil, the HPV vaccine approved for girls in 2006, wasn't being given to boys despite evidence it could reduce genital warts? Well, now it might be!
Approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in boys and men ages 9 to 26 last week, yesterday the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said it would recommend the three-injection, $130 treatment for males. Note the CDC did not "urge" the medical community to do so — something it did with females.
We like the sound of this! Especially because, with an estimated 250,000 annual new cases of genital warts among men, and a prevention success rate of 89 percent, we might finally get some traction in keeping HPV from spreading among gay men (and, uh, those heteros too).
But there are critics. Namely, from inside the vaccine community, who say that while genital warts are a pain, they aren't life threatening, and aren't worth such a costly vaccination. But for anyone who's ever experienced genital warts, we imagine they'd agree: It's worth the cost.
What's so significant about the CDC's recommendation isn't, necessarily, that pediatricians will begin vaccinating little boys, but that their call influences whether these treatments will be paid for under government healthcare plans
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So why is there an age limitation?
Is the vaccine somehow not effective for adults over the age of 26?
Curious- because almost all of us have been exposed to it, as adults.. so it's too late once you become sexually active most of the time. That is why you want to hit them when they are kids, before (hopefully) they start having sex.
Fitz — but how would we know that we've been exposed? Is there a blood test that can detect our exposure? If we haven't been exposed, would the vaccine be of benefit then for older adults?
I'm certainly not questioning its efficacy for the younger crowd, just the age range that seems to be attached. For that matter, 26 years of age would seem to me to be pretty far along in the sex-exposure timeframe. This entire aspect is rife with unanswered questions.
If you have ever been fucked BB, chances are that you are positive for it. Most of us never get symptoms. As far as checking to see if you have been exposed, There is! You can ask your doctor. But without symptoms, you are probably going to have a hard time getting them to agree to check your exposure. (expensive test). Tell them that your ex of 3 months ago just called you and said that he had genital warts, and you two were vers.
OMG! That woman in that picture! It's the Oracle from the Matrix! lol
You don't have to fuck BB to get it. You can get it just by having your ass fingered or lubed up by someone else's fingers.
All gay men should have an annual rectal pap smear (even you tops who have ever let someone touch their hole).
I was tested and flunked. Fortunately I was referred to a research study on HPV in gay men in which they did genetic testing and I luckily did not have a virulent cancer causing strain of HPV. Regardless I did have several lesions the size of pinheads that had to be burned off with lasers after chemical burning didn't work. I've had several follow ups over the years and have not had a re-occurance…
The reason that it is only approved for those 26 and under is because thoats who it was tested in. As we age our immune system changes. It might not be as effective in the older population. Drug companies want to show that it is extremely effective, so they tend to test in patients who are most likely to respond to it. It's the same reason why the zostivax vaccine is only approved for those over 65 (those who are most likely to benefit)
that being said, it doesn't mean that it isn't at least somewhat effective in those over 26. You will likely still be able to get the vaccine, it just might not be covered by your insurance.
The vaccine has only been studied in ages up to 26 and that is why the CDC can only recommend people up to that age get it. if it had been studied in people up to 27, that would be the age recommended. the CDC cant recommend something that hasnt been studied. that being said, the vaccine covers four of the most common strains of HPV that cause cancer and warts. you might have been exposed to one but not the others. insurance probably won't pay for it, but you should consider paying for it out of pocket if possible to get protection from any strains you might not have been exposed to.
As for the spread, this is a virus that can spread even if you used a condom though usually not from fingering. HPV that lives on your finger (regular warts) can not live in your rectum/genital and spread required direct skin to skin contact (not from one's genital to hand to another's anus). warts may be annoying but it is important to have them checked out because a certain and predictable percentage of them will turn into anal cancer (the same percentage as will turn into cervical cancer for women).