laserhenna: Anti-cervical Cancer Vaccine shots

Today, Monique and I are scheduled to be given the second (out of three) shot of the Anti-cervical Cancer Vaccine. The vaccine is not literally preventing the occurrence of cervical cancer, but rather it helps your body to develop antibodies against HPV-which is the leading cause of genital warts and cervical cancer.

A bit of overview:

What is genital HPV infection?
-Genital human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. While most infections clear on their own, some infections can persist and lead to serious diseases. Certain types of HPV can cause genital warts while others can cause cervical cancer and other less common cancers such as those of the vulva, vagina, anus and penis.

How does one acquire HPV?
-Anyone who has ever had genital contact with another person can have genital HPV. Both men and women can get it-and pass it on- without even realizing it. Most sexually active people get genital HPV. You're more likely to get it if you have sex at an early age, multiple sex partners or a sex partner who has had multiple sex partners.

Fast facts:
-there is no treatment for genital HPV itself, most of the time your body fight off the virus on its own
-an estimated 12 Filipinas die of cervical cancer per day
-you can be vaccinated against HPV

Enough of the serious part, here are some pics of how the session went down..