Mom's Morning Out
(Church function) October 26th, 2010 at 9:30 AM
Coffee and discussion group for moms. Community Wesleyan Church. 112 Downer St, Baldwinsville. Free. Childcare: $2/session. 638-2222.
View all calendar events
(Church function) October 26th, 2010 at 9:30 AM
Coffee and discussion group for moms. Community Wesleyan Church. 112 Downer St, Baldwinsville. Free. Childcare: $2/session. 638-2222.
View all calendar events
Sandwich on a stick
Ingredients: Bread, cheese, diced ham, grape tomatoes, lettuce, pickle, olive. Directions: Cut up cubes of bread, cheese, and ham. Slide the cubes onto a skewer with other foods your child likes... More
Ingredients: Bread, cheese, diced ham, grape tomatoes, lettuce, pickle, olive. Directions: Cut up cubes of bread, cheese, and ham. Slide the cubes onto a skewer with other foods your child likes... More
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What is HPV and who should be vaccinated?
Posted on Wed, November 25th, 2009
Written by: ,
email:
Submitted by Dr. John O’Brien
A topic we are often asked to discuss in our office is HPV and vaccination against it. Many people have seen commercials for HPV vaccines or heard about this from friends. The purpose of this article is to inform parents and patients about this issue.
HPV is Human Papillomavirus. It is a virus that only infects humans, and there is more than one way it may be transmitted. For example, it can be spread from person to person by direct contact. It is also believed to be spread by contacting objects that have the virus on it. In some cases, it is unknown how this virus is acquired.
HPV likes to infect superficial areas of our bodies – skin and mucous membranes in particular. Unlike many other viral infections, HPV never circulates in our bloodstream. It stays at the initial site of infection, where it causes cells to grow in abnormal ways. Infected cells may become unregulated, and if given long enough, even cancerous. Examples of disordered cell growth are familiar to many people and include simple warts and abnormal Pap smears.
There are over 100 different strains of HPV. Roughly speaking, the strain of HPV one acquires accounts for the problems that develop from it. For instance, HPV types 1 and 2 are associated with several kinds of benign warts. HPV types 6 and 11 are associated with fairly benign cervical abnormalities. HPV types 16 and 18, however, are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Once someone acquires HPV, they are not necessarily infected for life. Our bodies clear many HPV infections naturally. Common warts, for example, will eventually go away even without treatment.
It is the small number of HPV cases that do not clear up on their own – perhaps because many strains of HPV have been acquired – that put someone at risk for ongoing abnormalities of cell growth. Fortunately, most estimates are that it takes ten years for infection with HPV to turn into cancer. This allows time for detection and intervention.
HPV vaccination has been promoted since 2006 as a way to prevent the harmful effects of this virus. The theory is that by boosting one’s immunity to HPV, infection can be prevented (even though exposure will still occur). The most commonly used vaccine immunizes against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
Currently, HPV vaccination is only recommended for females. Girls age 11 through women age 26 are candidates to receive this vaccine, according to the CDC. Most experts feel that the upper age limit will probably be increased over time. Research in males is underway, since males can be affected by HPV and often transmit it.
Ideally, young people should receive the vaccine prior to exposure to HPV. This is because the vaccine does not seem to clear up HPV infections present at the time of immunization. However, the vaccine can still provide protection against other strains the patient does not yet have. On this basis, it is still recommended for patients who already have had, for example, an abnormal Pap smear or who have warts.
Proponents of the vaccine argue that earlier immunization is better, since this may yield a better immune response. For now it is unknown how long this immunity lasts.
With these thoughts in mind, parents and young patients can make more informed decisions about HPV vaccination. Your physician can address other questions about this topic. As always, more information is available at the web site of the American Academy of Family Physicians, aafp.org.
Dr. John O’Brien received his doctorate of medicine from SUNY Upstate Medical University and is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Hospital Family Medicine Residency, where he is now a member of the Medical Education faculty. Heritage Family Medicine is a medical home for patients in the greater Cazenovia area. Their services include obstetric care and delivering babies, women’s health services including family planning services, and medical care for patients of all ages – from infants to adults. They are committed to promoting and preserving our patients’ health through high-quality medical care, education, and community involvement.
Kaitlyn poses for her babysitter who took this image of her playing outside.
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Posted on Wed, November 25th, 2009
Written by: ,
email:
Submitted by Dr. John O’Brien
A topic we are often asked to discuss in our office is HPV and vaccination against it. Many people have seen commercials for HPV vaccines or heard about this from friends. The purpose of this article is to inform parents and patients about this issue.
HPV is Human Papillomavirus. It is a virus that only infects humans, and there is more than one way it may be transmitted. For example, it can be spread from person to person by direct contact. It is also believed to be spread by contacting objects that have the virus on it. In some cases, it is unknown how this virus is acquired.
HPV likes to infect superficial areas of our bodies – skin and mucous membranes in particular. Unlike many other viral infections, HPV never circulates in our bloodstream. It stays at the initial site of infection, where it causes cells to grow in abnormal ways. Infected cells may become unregulated, and if given long enough, even cancerous. Examples of disordered cell growth are familiar to many people and include simple warts and abnormal Pap smears.
There are over 100 different strains of HPV. Roughly speaking, the strain of HPV one acquires accounts for the problems that develop from it. For instance, HPV types 1 and 2 are associated with several kinds of benign warts. HPV types 6 and 11 are associated with fairly benign cervical abnormalities. HPV types 16 and 18, however, are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Once someone acquires HPV, they are not necessarily infected for life. Our bodies clear many HPV infections naturally. Common warts, for example, will eventually go away even without treatment.
It is the small number of HPV cases that do not clear up on their own – perhaps because many strains of HPV have been acquired – that put someone at risk for ongoing abnormalities of cell growth. Fortunately, most estimates are that it takes ten years for infection with HPV to turn into cancer. This allows time for detection and intervention.
HPV vaccination has been promoted since 2006 as a way to prevent the harmful effects of this virus. The theory is that by boosting one’s immunity to HPV, infection can be prevented (even though exposure will still occur). The most commonly used vaccine immunizes against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
Currently, HPV vaccination is only recommended for females. Girls age 11 through women age 26 are candidates to receive this vaccine, according to the CDC. Most experts feel that the upper age limit will probably be increased over time. Research in males is underway, since males can be affected by HPV and often transmit it.
Ideally, young people should receive the vaccine prior to exposure to HPV. This is because the vaccine does not seem to clear up HPV infections present at the time of immunization. However, the vaccine can still provide protection against other strains the patient does not yet have. On this basis, it is still recommended for patients who already have had, for example, an abnormal Pap smear or who have warts.
Proponents of the vaccine argue that earlier immunization is better, since this may yield a better immune response. For now it is unknown how long this immunity lasts.
With these thoughts in mind, parents and young patients can make more informed decisions about HPV vaccination. Your physician can address other questions about this topic. As always, more information is available at the web site of the American Academy of Family Physicians, aafp.org.
Dr. John O’Brien received his doctorate of medicine from SUNY Upstate Medical University and is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Hospital Family Medicine Residency, where he is now a member of the Medical Education faculty. Heritage Family Medicine is a medical home for patients in the greater Cazenovia area. Their services include obstetric care and delivering babies, women’s health services including family planning services, and medical care for patients of all ages – from infants to adults. They are committed to promoting and preserving our patients’ health through high-quality medical care, education, and community involvement.
Kaitlyn poses for her babysitter who took this image of her playing outside.
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