Certain teens and young adults have a higher risk of getting meningococcal disease. College students, especially freshmen who live in dorms and military recruits, are at increased risk compared with others in this age group. It’s important to know how to protect yourself because meningococcal disease can be deadly. Read on for more information from about this serious illness, safe and effective vaccines, and tips on how to stay healthy.
While it can strike anybody, the greatest risk is in individuals between 15 and 21 years of age. Also, students entering college and planning to live in dorms are at higher risk than other people of the same age. It’s easy for infections to spread in crowded dorms or in enclosed areas where students often meet to smoke and drink alcohol.
Symptoms
The symptoms of meningococcal disease often are mistaken for other, less serious illnesses like the flu. Common symptoms include:
- High fever (above 101.4°F)
- A flat, pink to red to purple rash mainly on the lower arms and legs, including the hands and feet, with small bruises or bleeding under the skin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Generalized muscle aches
- Sudden, severe headache
- Confusion
- Sensitivity to light
- Stiff neck along with headache and sensitivity to light (can signal the meningitis form of the illness and should never be ignored)
It’s important to get medical treatment right away. Meningococcemia or meningitis can get worse very quickly, even within a few hours from the start of symptoms. If untreated, the disease can be fatal (up to 20% of teens die) or cause kidney failure, hearing loss, limb amputation, or lifelong problems with the nervous system.
Vaccination
The best protection from meningococcal disease for certain teens and college students who will be living in dorms is to be vaccinated. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent meningococcal disease caused by 4 of the 5 most common types of meningococcal bacteria found in teens. The currently recommended meningococcal vaccine for adolescents and young adults is the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine. The vaccine provides protection against only about two thirds of the cases of meningococcal infections because there is one strain that is not included in the vaccine. Although mild side effects, like redness and swelling at the injection site or a slight fever, can occur from the vaccination, these are considered uncommon and usually go away on their own in a few days. Serious allergic reactions to the vaccine are extremely rare.
Who should be vaccinated?
- Adolescents are now recommended to get their first dose of meningococcal vaccine at 11 to 12 years of age and a booster dose at age 16 years.
- Adolescents who do not get their first dose at 11 to 12 years of age should still receive the meningococcal vaccine. If they are between 13 and 15 years of age at their first dose, they should get a booster at 16 to 18 years of age, and up to age 21 years. If they get their first dose at 16 years or older, a booster dose is not needed.
- There is no routine recommendation to receive the meningococcal vaccine for individuals older than 21 years. However, there is a recommendation to receive the meningococcal vaccine for individuals who travel to certain parts of the world where meningococcal disease is common, such as parts of Africa.
Students who already received a meningococcal vaccine in the last 3 years don’t need to be vaccinated, but they should check with their pediatrician to be sure.
Take care of yourself
If you are 11 to 12 years old, it’s important that you see your pediatrician for your annual checkup. You may need a booster of other vaccines besides the one against meningococcal disease (such as the vaccines that prevent tetanus and diphtheria). At the same visit your pediatrician can give you advice about keeping healthy. Your pediatrician will also let you know about scheduling your booster dose.If you are a student about to start college, here are some health tips.
- Reduce your risk of getting meningitis by staying away from smoking, drinking alcohol, excessive stress, and exposure to upper respiratory infections. Even if you don’t smoke yourself, being in a smoking environment can still increase your risk of getting meningococcal disease.
- Strengthen your immune system by living a healthy lifestyle that includes enough sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet.
- Avoid sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands often.
- Get familiar with your college’s student health services. Find out who to call or where to go if you get sick.
- Remember that your pediatrician is available to answer any questions you may have about your health.
Remember, you can get all your questions answered here at the New York Doctor's Urgent Care Offices and through our FB and Twitter pages. We're always here to help, 365 days a year! www.nyorkdoctorsurgentcare.com
If you use contraceptives and suddenly find yourself pregnant, you may wonder why your chosen method of birth control failed to work. The fact is that an overwhelming 53% of unplanned pregnancies occur in women who are using contraceptives. And while you may think that only teenagers and young women experience contraceptive failure, the fact is that the majority of unplanned pregnancies, about three-quarters of them, occur in women over the age of 20.
Why are so many women getting pregnant while using contraceptives?
- Failure to follow the instructions for a given method of birth control exactly as directed is a key cause of contraceptive failure. If you're using birth control pills, taking them at exactly the same time every single day greatly reduces any chance of contraceptive failure and unplanned pregnancy. When using condoms as a contraceptive, it's imperative that they're used properly and in good condition. Women who use a diaphragm or cervical cap need to make sure that the cervix is completely covered before having sexual intercourse. IUD users need to check that the device is in place monthly.
- Another cause of contraceptive failure occurs when contraceptives are used inconsistently. Forgetting to take just one birth control pill significantly raises your risk of becoming pregnant; forgetting to take more than one oral contraceptive in a month means that you should use an alternative contraceptive for the remainder of that menstrual cycle. Barrier methods such as condoms, cervical caps, and diaphragms have to be used during each and every act of sexual intercourse; forgetting just one time means you might become pregnant. Of course, natural family planning only works when practiced consistently and correctly.
- Condoms that break or have even the smallest tear also often led to unplanned pregnancy. Causes of condom damage include improper use, inadequate use of a water-based lubricant, using condoms past the expiration date, improper storage. Jewelry, fingernails, and other objects may create tiny tears in condoms that render them ineffective. If condoms are your choice in contraception, make sure to use a vaginal spermicide to decrease your risk of unplanned pregnancy should condom damage occur.
- Contraceptive failure may also happen in women taking certain drugs or herbs. If you're using oral contraceptives check with your doctor and / or pharmacist for any possible drug / herb interactions that may reduce the effectiveness of your birth control pill.
- Believing that you are not in your fertile period is a huge mistake that can potentially lead to an unplanned pregnancy. There is no "safe time" of the month, according to researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health, where they have found that the possibility of pregnancy may occur on almost any day of the month including during menstruation.
Remember, birth control pills and other methods of contraception do not offer any protection against STDs -- only the consistent and proper use of condoms can offer you that protection. Unless you are in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship, the use of a condom is recommended during each and every act of sexual intercourse, as well as during oral sex, to protect yourself.
Remember, you can get all your questions answered here at the New York Doctor's Urgent Care Offices and through our FB and Twitter pages. We're always here to help, 365 days a year! www.nyorkdoctorsurgentcare.com
Remember, you can get all your questions answered here at the New York Doctor's Urgent Care Offices and through our FB and Twitter pages. We're always here to help, 365 days a year! www.nyorkdoctorsurgentcare.com
What is Herpes?
Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by two related, but different viruses- herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). It is a very common disease that affects an estimated minimum of 45 million people in the US. Herpes type 1 is mostly found on the mouth in the form of a cold sore or fever blister, therefore it’s usually called oral herpes. Herpes type 2 is presented in the form of outbreaks in the genital region; as a result it’s called genital herpes. It is possible, however, to have type 1 in the genital area and type 2 on the mouth.
How is the virus spread?
Herpes is easily spread from one infected partner to another through contact with open sores during sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, or oral. Although infection is at its highest when there is an outbreak of open sores, you can still get herpes even when there are no active sores showing. The virus can also be transmitted without sex- kissing or touching the infected area while having a cut in you hand or lip. Brief skin-to-skin contact is all that's needed to pass the virus.
Who should get tested?
If you’re a sexually active individual, have multiple sexual partners, engage in unprotected sex, are in a relationship with someone infected, entering a new relationship, or if you are unsure whether you have the virus, then you should definitely get a herpes test at our STD clinic.
Are there any herpes symptoms?
Yes,but they are not always present. Oral herpes can appear as painful cold sores inside and around your mouth. People with genital herpes can be infected with the virus and not present any symptoms for a period of time. When herpes 2 symptoms show up, they can cause itching or blisters on your genitals and burning or painful sensation during urination. “Outbreak” is the name given to describe herpes 2 sores or any other symptoms. It’s possible to have herpes and not experience a single outbreak for years. As a result of not having symptoms that you can feel or see, the only sure way to know whether you are infected with the virus is to get a herpes test done.
What test are available to diagnose Herpes?
The test that we use will not only determine whether you have herpes or not, but also differentiate which infection you have- herpes 1 or herpes 2. During an initial consultation at our a clinic, the doctor informs you whether you are ready to get tested, if not, when you should come back. Your test results will be available in 3-5 business days. A blood test or culture can identify the presence of herpes, and a number of medications are available to reduce or prevent future herpes outbreaks. Herpes can be serious if it infects people with weakened immune symptoms.
What treatment can be offered for positive test results?
There is no cure for herpes. Our STD doctor can prescribe you antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) and valacyclovir (Valtrex) that may help you control, decrease the severity, or shorten your symptoms. Also, there are drugs that can be taken on a daily basis to suppress the virus to prevent an infected person from passing the virus to their sexual partner. Until the sores have healed, sexual contact must be avoided.
Remember, you can get all your questions answered here at the New York Doctor's Urgent Care Offices and through our FB and Twitter pages. We're always here to help, 365 days a year! www.nyorkdoctorsurgentcare.com
Remember, you can get all your questions answered here at the New York Doctor's Urgent Care Offices and through our FB and Twitter pages. We're always here to help, 365 days a year! www.nyorkdoctorsurgentcare.com
What is emergency contraception?
Emergency contraception, or emergency birth control, is used to help keep a woman from getting pregnant after she has had sex without using birth control or if the birth control method failed. If you are already pregnant, emergency contraception will not work.
What are the types of emergency contraception and how do they work?
There are two types:
- Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)
- Intrauterine device (IUD)
Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)
With ECPs, higher doses of the same hormones found in regular birth control pills stop pregnancy by keeping the egg from leaving the ovary or keeping the sperm from joining the egg. While it is possible that ECPs might work by keeping a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus, the most up-to-date research suggests that ECPs do not work in this way. In the United States, there are two kinds of FDA-approved ECPs. One is called Plan B One-Step. The other is called Next Choice. However, when used in a certain way, some regular birth control pills also can be used as ECPs.
- Plan B One-Step — Plan B One-Step is a progestin-only ECP. Plan B One-Step is like progestin-only birth control pills, but contains higher levels of the hormone. Plan B One-Step is a one-pill emergency contraceptive available over the counter for people ages 17 and older. It must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
- Next Choice — Next Choice is also a progestin-only ECP. It is like progestin-only birth control pills, but has higher levels of the hormone. Next Choice is two pills. The first pill should be taken as soon as possible within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The second pill should be taken 12 hours after the first pill. Next Choice is available over the counter for people ages 17 and older.
- Higher dose of regular birth control pills — The number of pills in a dose is different for each pill brand, and not all brands can be used for emergency contraception. For more information on birth control pills that can be used for emergency contraception, visit the Emergency Contraception website (not-2-late.com). The pills are taken in 2 doses (1 dose right away, and the next dose 12 hours later). Always use the same brand for both doses, and be sure to use the active pills, not the reminder pills.
You should always take ECPs as soon as you can after having unprotected sex, but they can work up to 5 days later in some cases. However, if you use Plan B One-Step or Next Choice as emergency contraception, you should take your first pill within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Women who are breastfeeding or cannot take estrogen should use progestin-only ECPs (like Plan B One-Step). Some women feel sick and throw up after taking ECPs. If you throw up after taking ECPs, call your doctor or pharmacist.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
The IUD is a small, T-shaped device placed into the uterus by a doctor within 5 days after having unprotected sex. The IUD works by keeping the sperm from joining the egg or keeping a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. Your doctor can remove the IUD after your next period. Or, it can be left in place for up to 10 years to use as your regular birth control method.
How well does emergency contraception work?
When used correctly, emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) work very well at preventing pregnancy. Consider that about 8 in 100 women who have unprotected sex one time during the fertile part of their cycle will become pregnant. If these 100 women take progestin-only ECPs (like Plan B One-Step or Next Choice), about 1 will become pregnant. If 100 women take ECPs with estrogen and progestin, about 2 will become pregnant. The IUD works even better. Only 1 in 1,000 women who have an IUD put in after having unprotected sex will become pregnant.
The sooner you use emergency contraception after unprotected sex, the more likely it will prevent pregnancy. But you must use it correctly. For regular birth control pills used as ECPs, take the first dose within 3 days of having unprotected sex, but no later than 5 days. Take the second dose 12 hours later. For Plan B One-Step, only one pill is needed but it should be taken within 72 hours of sex. For Next Step, the first pill should be taken within 72 hours of sex and the second pill 12 hours later.
Does emergency contraception have side effects?
Some women feel sick and throw up after taking ECPs. Headache, dizziness, lower stomach cramps, irregular bleeding, breast tenderness, and fatigue also can occur. Progestin-only ECPs cause fewer side effects than combined pills that also contain estrogen. The over-the-counter drug Dramamine 2 can reduce the risk of feeling sick and throwing up. Take two of these pills 30 minutes before taking ECPs. If you throw up after taking ECPs, call your doctor or pharmacist.
IUD placement has risks of pelvic infection or harming the uterus. But these risks are quite rare. If the IUD is left in place to be used as birth control, it can cause side effects such as cramps and heavy bleeding during your period.
Will emergency contraception protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
No. Emergency contraception can only lower the risk of becoming pregnant after having unprotected sex. Always use condoms to lower your risk of getting an STI.
Are emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) the same thing as the "morning after pill"?
Yes. ECPs are often called the "morning after pill," which is wrong because ECPs don't have to be taken the morning after. You should always take ECPs as soon as you can after having unprotected sex, but some kinds can work up to 5 days later.
How do I get emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)?
You can get Plan B One-Step or Next Choice at drugstores and stores with a licensed pharmacist. The FDA approved Plan B One-Step and Next Choice for sale without a prescription to those 17 and older. Women and men must show proof of age to buy Plan B One-Step or Next Choice. If you are younger than 17 and need emergency contraception, you will need a prescription, so act quickly. Talk to your parents, your doctor, or visit a family planning clinic and ask for help. In some states (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Vermont, and Washington), some pharmacists can provide Plan B One-Step or Next Choice to women younger than 17 without a prescription. If you live in one of these states, call your pharmacy to see if this is an option for you.
I heard that 17-year-olds can now buy ECPs without a prescription — is that true?
Yes. Plan B One-Step and Next Choice are currently available for sale over the counter to people 17 and older. It remains prescription-only for those under 17. Take proof of your age with you, and call ahead to make sure your pharmacy stocks emergency contraception.
Can I get emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) before I need them?
Yes. Your doctor should bring up ECPs at your annual exam (when you have a Pap test). If your doctor does not talk about emergency contraception at your next exam, ask your doctor about it.
What do I need to do after I take emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)?
After you have taken ECPs, your next period may come sooner or later than normal. Most women will get their period within 7 days of the expected date. Your period also may be heavier, lighter, or more spotty than normal. If you do not get your period in 3 weeks or if you think you might be pregnant after taking ECPs, get a pregnancy test to find out for sure.
Are emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) the same thing as the abortion pill?
No. Emergency contraception works before pregnancy begins. It will not work if a woman is already pregnant. Abortion takes place after a fertilized egg has attached to the uterus. The abortion pill (Mifeprex, also called RU-486) makes the uterus force out the egg, ending the pregnancy.
Remember, you can get all your questions answered here at the New York Doctor's Urgent Care Offices and through our FB and Twitter pages. We're always here to help, 365 days a year! www.nyorkdoctorsurgentcare.com
HPV Vaccines
HPV vaccines protect against a very common sexually transmitted virus called HPV or human papillomavirus. HPV infects at least 50% of sexually active people at some point in their lives. The virus often clears on its own. If it persists, it can lead to cervical, anal, and throat cancers and to genital warts.
One HPV vaccine, Gardasil, was licensed for use by the FDA in 2006. It is recommended as a routine vaccination for females aged 9-26 years old and for boys and men aged 11 to 21. It is a three-dose series.
Another HPV vaccine, Cervarix, was licensed in 2009 for use in females aged 10-25.
Like all vaccines, these HPV vaccines are not foolproof. They do not protect against all of the 100-plus types of HPV. But both vaccines are nearly 100% effective in preventing disease caused by high-risk strains of HPV -- HPV 16 and 18 -- which together account for 70% of all cervical cancers, as well as many cancers of the vagina and vulva.
Gardasil, the First HPV Vaccine
Gardasil, the HPV vaccine made by Merck & Co., was licensed for use in June 2006. It targets four types of HPV: 6, 11, 16 and 18. Types 16 and 18 lead to cervical cancer. HPV 6 and HPV 11 cause about 90% of genital warts.
The vaccine contains a virus-like particle but not the actual virus. Three doses are given over six months to females aged 9-26.
Gardasil costs $120 per dose. Insurance coverage is common within the recommended age ranges. The federal Vaccines for Children Program covers the vaccine for those under age 19 who qualify. No serious HPV vaccine side effects have been found, although fainting spells following injection have been reported in teens and young adults. Sometimes soreness occurs at the injection site. It should not be administered to pregnant women.
Who Should Get Gardasil?
The vaccine should be given to girls at ages 11 to 12, according to recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC. The vaccine is best given at a young age, before sexual activity begins and before exposure to HPV.
The recommendations note that girls as young as 9 can get the vaccine, and females up to age 26 who didn't get it when they were younger. The vaccine is also being studied in older women.
Gardasil is also indicated for boys and men ages 9-26; it protects against two types of HPV that cause 90% of genital warts.
In late 2010, Gardasil was also approved for the prevention of anal cancer.
Cervarix
Another HPV vaccine, Cervarix, protects against types 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancers.
Three doses are given over six months to females 10-25 years old. Fainting spells have been reported in teens and young adults after vaccination.
Vaccines Are Not an HPV Cure
The vaccines are not an HPV cure. But both HPV vaccines have been shown to provide protection for five years.
HPV vaccination doesn't mean women can skip their Pap tests. Neither vaccine protects against all the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.
Remember, you can get all your questions answered here at the New York Doctor's Urgent Care Offices and through our FB and Twitter pages. We're always here to help, 365 days a year! www.nyorkdoctorsurgentcare.com
Remember, you can get all your questions answered here at the New York Doctor's Urgent Care Offices and through our FB and Twitter pages. We're always here to help, 365 days a year! www.nyorkdoctorsurgentcare.com
HIV Testing at a Glance
- People may live longer if they know they are infected with HIV and get treatment
- A normal part of health care
- Widely available
Up to 1 out of 4 people who have HIV
don't know it. Knowing if you have HIV can be essential to your sexual
health. If you know you have HIV, you are more likely to get the care you
need to keep from developing AIDS. If you know you don't have HIV, you can learn
what you need to do to protect yourself and your partner(s) from getting it.
Testing for HIV has become faster and more convenient. Today, you have many
testing options. Here are some of the most common questions we hear people ask
about HIV testing. We hope you find the answers helpful.
How Do HIV Tests Work?
When someone gets HIV, the body's immune system makes antibodies to try to
fight the infection. Most HIV tests available today test for HIV antibodies. If
HIV antibodies are present, it means that a person is infected with HIV.
One type of HIV test detects the virus itself. This is called an RNA test.
RNA testing is more expensive and much less common than antibody tests. But RNA
testing can detect HIV much earlier than antibody tests — in as little as 9 to
11 days after infection.
The Window Period
It can take up to three months after you are infected to develop antibodies.
This is called the "window period." During the window period, HIV antibody tests
may not show that a person has the virus. It is very important to remember that
HIV can be passed to other people during the window period.
What Kinds of HIV Tests Are Available?
Currently, there are several ways to test for HIV. There are blood and oral
swab HIV tests. There are also urine tests for HIV, but they are rarely
used.
Most blood tests involve going to a clinic, having blood drawn, and then
going back to the clinic about a week later for the results.
Many health care providers now offer rapid HIV testing. A rapid test can use
an oral swab or blood from a vein or finger prick. The results take as little as
20 minutes. However, rapid test results that show a person has HIV need to be
confirmed with a follow-up test.
You can also test for HIV at home
using either a blood or oral swab test.
|
STI/STD Questions and Answers
Sexually transmitted diseases, commonly called STDs, are diseases that are spread by having sex with someone who has an STD. You can get a sexually transmitted disease from sexual activity that involves the mouth, anus, vagina, or penis.
According to the American Social Health Organization, one out of four teens in the United States becomes infected with an STD each year and by the age of 25, half of all sexually active young adults will get an STD.
Sexually active adolescents (10- to 19-year-olds) and young adults (20- to
24-year-olds) are at higher risk for getting sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs). Nearly half of the 19 million new STDs each year are among young people
aged 15–24 years. Women bear long term effects, including pelvic inflammatory
disease, tubal scarring, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. Young
people aged 13-29 accounted for 39% of all new HIV infections in 2009.
STDs are serious illnesses that require treatment. Some STDs, like HIV, cannot be cured and are deadly.
What Is An
STI?
STI stands for sexually transmitted infection. This is a group of infections
spread by vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse with an infected person. Herpes,
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS are examples of sexually transmitted
infections.
How Do I Know If I Have An STI?
The signs of an STI are:
- bumps, blisters sores in or around penis, vagina, anus, throat
- pain or burning when you urinate (pee)
- discharge from the penis or vagina
- abdominal or pelvic pain
- scratching or itching around the penis, vagina or anus
Many people, especially females, have no symptoms at all and could
spread the infection to others without knowing.
What Should
I Do If I Think I Have An STI/STD?
See a doctor or go to a clinic. The doctor will do some tests to see if you
have an infection.
What Will The Doctor Do If I Have An
STI?
That depends on the kind of STI you have. If you have chlamydia, gonorrhea,
or syphilis, the doctor will give you some medication which can cure the
infection. It's very important that you take the medication exactly as the
doctor says you should.
If you have herpes or genital warts, the doctor may give you some medications
to treat some of the symptoms.
Can I Have Sexual Intercourse
If I Have An STI?/STD
You should not have sexual intercourse while you have an active infection.
For infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, you may have to go back
to the doctor when you've completed your medications. Depending on if you took
your medications as directed, if you have any side effects, or if symptoms
return, the doctor may advise that you do not need to return for
re-testing.
The doctor will advise you when you are treated how long you must wait before
engaging in sexual activity.
If you have an STI like herpes or genital warts, you can't have sexual
intercourse while you have sores, bumps, blisters or pain in the affected area.
You must wait for your skin to heal.
Does The Doctor Tell Anyone I Have An
STI/STD?
All the information that you give the doctor is confidential. That is, they
don't tell your parents or your friends or anyone at school. They do tell the
STI nurse at the Health Unit.
What Does The STI Nurse Do
With The Information?
The STI/STD nurse may talk with you about preventing STIs/STDs and about preventing
further spread.
In order to stop the spread of infections, the STI/STD nurse will want to make
sure that your partner(s) is told. If you're not comfortable telling them, the
STI/STD nurse will do that for you, without giving out any information about you -
not even your name.
Why Is It Important That My Partner(s)
Be Informed?
There are many reasons. Your partner(s) may not have any symptoms, which
means that:
- They could spread the infection to their partner(s) without knowing it.
- They could develop serious problems if they are not treated.
Can I Get An STI More Than Once?
YES. Just because you've had one STI doesn't mean that you won't have
another. It also doesn't mean that you won't get the same one again.
How Can I Prevent An STI/STD?
If you're going to have sexual intercourse or oral sex, use a condom!
Follow This Rule: NO CONDOMS, NO SEX!
Remember, you can get all your questions answered here at the New York Doctor's Urgent Care Offices and through our FB and Twitter pages. We're always here to help, 365 days a year!
Find out 10 Most Shocking Facts HERE!
If you don't already know, January is Cervical Cancer Awarenss month. As the month of January brings cervical cancer into focus, it’s time to increase public understanding of the disease, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention, treatment options, and resources that offer updated cervical cancer information throughout the year.
Cervical cancer affects the cervix, the part of the body that connects the uterus (or womb) to the vagina (or birth canal). Each year in the United States, more than 11,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and approximately 4,000 die of the disease. Certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), most commonly HPV 16 and HPV 18, are linked to cervical cancer, and several other high-risk types of HPV also contribute to cancer. Vaccines such as Gardasil and Cervarix that are designed to prevent infection with high-risk types of HPV have the potential to greatly reduce the occurrence of cervical cancer.
Staying informed with the latest news on prevention and screening is an important step in reducing your risk of developing cervical cancer, while access to current, in-depth treatment information can help you choose optimal care and achieve the best possible outcome from treatment.
More information on Cervical Cancer HERE!
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