1 in 4 Teenage Girls Has an STD

Terralthra · Post by **Terralthra** » 2008-03-12 02:14pm

His Divine Shadow wrote:Does the vaccine protect against all kinds of herpes?

We have no vaccine for herpes. The vaccine is for HPV, Human Papilloma Virus, and as I said earlier in the thread, no, it does not protect against all types.

His Divine Shadow · Post by **His Divine Shadow** » 2008-03-12 02:32pm

I see, I have been very confused on the herpes / HPV / HPS / Cold sores and if they are all the same thing, related, or totally unrelated.

Superman · Post by **Superman** » 2008-03-12 03:26pm

His Divine Shadow wrote:I see, I have been very confused on the herpes / HPV / HPS / Cold sores and if they are all the same thing, related, or totally unrelated.

Cold sores are indeed caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types; Herpes simplex 1, which usually causes cold sores, and herpes simplex 2, which usually causes the genital type. This isn't always the case, though, because any skin or mucous membrane can be infected with either form.

Post by **Broomstick** » 2008-03-12 03:59pm

It is also possible for the same site to be infected with BOTH forms of HSV.

Erik von Nein · Post by **Erik von Nein** » 2008-03-12 04:06pm

Broomstick wrote:Since the vast majority of women with the infection are heterosexual I don't see where else they could be picking up this infection other than men, do you?

No shit. Hey, but that works both ways, now doesn't it? I'm asking, again, if men are more likely to spread the infection then women are. If they are, then of course they should be a priority for the vaccination.

Broomstick wrote:When the female population is reasonably well protected then there should be enough vaccine to give to both boys and girls as they reach an appropriate age.

Yes, if there's enough of the vaccine to go around. Is there?

Post by **Broomstick** » 2008-03-12 06:28pm

Erik von Nein wrote:
Broomstick wrote:Since the vast majority of women with the infection are heterosexual I don't see where else they could be picking up this infection other than men, do you?
No shit. Hey, but that works both ways, now doesn't it? I'm asking, again, if men are more likely to spread the infection then women are. If they are, then of course they should be a priority for the vaccination.{/quote]
So far as I know, both sexes are equally susceptible.

Broomstick wrote:When the female population is reasonably well protected then there should be enough vaccine to give to both boys and girls as they reach an appropriate age.
Yes, if there's enough of the vaccine to go around. Is there?

Right now, very few women have received the vaccine, there is no "herd immunity". So we have to vaccinate women who, if we had had the vaccine years ago, would have received the shot much earlier. Once that initial group of women is protected we only need to vaccinate those coming into the appropriate age group - a much smaller number. Assuming vaccine production continues at the same or greater level yes, there will be enough to vaccinate everyone.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2008-03-12 06:31pm

I must admit I don't know much about HPV. Is it possible to get it from a toilet seat? Is it possible that an adult could have it and not realize it?

Superman · Post by **Superman** » 2008-03-12 06:47pm

Darth Wong wrote:I must admit I don't know much about HPV. Is it possible to get it from a toilet seat? Is it possible that an adult could have it and not realize it?

I've been told repeatedly that there's never been a single recorded case of a toilet seat spreading any type of pathogen. The paper covers that seem to be in every public restroom apparently serve more of a psychological purpose than a medical one.

Yes, people can be carriers of the HPV for years and not realize it. This isn't as common in women as it is in men, but people can be carriers without realizing it.

ArmorPierce · Post by **ArmorPierce** » 2008-03-17 03:26pm

Darth Wong wrote:I must admit I don't know much about HPV. Is it possible to get it from a toilet seat? Is it possible that an adult could have it and not realize it?

There are strains of hpv that don't cause any visible warts. From what I hear and read these strains make the disease undetectable in men. What I'm not sure is whether or not you are permanently infected. There seems to not be a consensus on my research with some saying yes and some saying with a strong immune system it's gone after a couple years.

ArmorPierce · Post by **ArmorPierce** » 2008-03-17 03:29pm

Superman wrote:
Darth Wong wrote:I must admit I don't know much about HPV. Is it possible to get it from a toilet seat? Is it possible that an adult could have it and not realize it?
I've been told repeatedly that there's never been a single recorded case of a toilet seat spreading any type of pathogen. The paper covers that seem to be in every public restroom apparently serve more of a psychological purpose than a medical one.

Yes, people can be carriers of the HPV for years and not realize it. This isn't as common in women as it is in men, but people can be carriers without realizing it.

well crabs are known to be able to be passed through public toilet seats. If the toilet seat has just been used, got some specks on it, and not been clean I don't see why it would be impossible for certain stds to be passed by use of it.

Terralthra · Post by **Terralthra** » 2008-03-17 03:33pm

Darth Wong wrote:I must admit I don't know much about HPV. Is it possible to get it from a toilet seat? Is it possible that an adult could have it and not realize it?

To the first, it's technically possible, but highly unlikely. It can be transmitted by any skin to skin contact with an infected individual, whether or not they are symptomatic, and it's a fairly ubiquitous infection, so that's the preferred explanation.

There are over 50 HPV strains last I checked. 2 of them are considered high-risk for causing cervical and other forms of cancer (0.90+ correlation). Those two do not produce visible warts. They are literally almost entirely asymptomatic. Another 4-5 produce various types of warts around the genitals, and some 20 others produce warts in other places around the body. Even the symptomatic wart-causing ones are easy to overlook. Unless one is very aware of one's body, a tiny painless bump underneath pubic hair can go utterly unnoticed.