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Original poster

Hpv vaccine

31 replies

Jurassicmuma · 19/08/2019 07:17

Morning

Has anyone e paid to have the hpv vaccine? I'm 29 and missed out of getting it in school by A couple of years

I have a bit of anxiety over cervical cancer, for years now I've been worried it'll be what kills me. I know I'm being silly, I do know that but I can't help it. I've read stories of women who develop symptoms but it's already too late and they've passed away in their early thirties. It breaks my heart reading stories about the kids being left behind. Again I know there's loads of things which could cause an early death, I do know this

I've only ever had 3 sexual partners, only my husband since I was 19 and clear smears so far. Would the vaccine benefit me?

Who is best to talk to? It's hard work getting an appointment at the gp, would a pharmacist be able to offer advice?

OP posts:
Bumpandtoddler · 19/08/2019 09:09

I'm a research scientist working on viruses, and very much pro vaccine, however, with this one the main question is, are you currently HPV negative? If you are, the vaccine will benefit you from catching it in the future, although I would always still have a smear, not all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV. That said, if you are HPV negative and don't plan to change sexual partners (and your husband doesn't have an affair) then you are unlikely to catch it and therefore it is a case of deciding if you want to, in effect, waste the money on the vaccine against something you likely won't catch. Hope that helps!

Original poster
Jurassicmuma · 19/08/2019 11:19

Hi thank you for the reply! That has been the puzzling thing for me and what I've been trying to find out the answer to. I've no plans to change partners ever so I totally see what you're saying. I guess i need to find out if I'm negative. Thanks for the help

OP posts:
99problemsandjust1appt · 19/08/2019 11:21

I was offered it a couple of years ago at 35 as am negative but I declined and although my dc are otherwise fully vaccinated we were advised not to have them vaccinated with hpv

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ThatLibraryMiss · 19/08/2019 12:59

although my dc are otherwise fully vaccinated we were advised not to have them vaccinated with hpv

May I ask why? Taking up the offer of an HPV vaccination seems like a no-brainer so I'd like to know the reasons for not recommending it.

mindutopia · 19/08/2019 13:25

I think it depends on (a) if you are actually HPV negative? You can catch HPV from only one sexual partner and even if you use a condom. (b) do you anticipate having new sexual partners in the future or do you suspect your husband isn’t faithful?

It’s quite possible you already have it. Most sexually active people do. If you don’t, it depends on whether you think you’ll be exposed in the future. Obviously no one can ever know if they’ll split up with their partner, so it’s hard to say. If you are negative, then sure you could, but you’ll have to pay privately for it as you are too old to get it on the NHS.

Breathlessness · 19/08/2019 13:29

If you’re negative for HPV I’d have the vaccination. I have more faith in science than husbands though.

I posted this link on another vaccination thread today.

www.theguardian.com/society/2018/mar/04/australia-could-become-first-country-to-eradicate-cervical-cancer

Original poster
Jurassicmuma · 19/08/2019 15:31

Can my gp test me to see if im negative? Thank you for the replies everyone. I know I'd have to pay, it's £400/500 depending where but I would save for it

OP posts:
99problemsandjust1appt · 19/08/2019 17:56

So far 2 of them have been diagnosed with PoTs and their consultant said not to have it done. He said we can discuss again in a year or two and see how things are then

99problemsandjust1appt · 19/08/2019 17:59

I think people are under the impression that doctors push vaccinations at any cost but we’ve had the opposite experience where they have been open about side effects
Our severely egg allergic child we wanted the flu vaccine they said no way not at all and wouldn’t let him be vaccinated in the surgery we had to delay it and get it done at the hospital
Doctors are actually very good about potential side effects I think (he was fine after the mmr as well but still not allowed flu spray or jab)

99problemsandjust1appt · 19/08/2019 17:59

Sorry wouldn’t let him be vaccinated with mmr that should say

ThirdAidKit · 19/08/2019 18:36

Bumping - also interested how you find out if you're negative.

Thanks for the knowledgeable responses on this thread!

minibroncs · 19/08/2019 18:57

Superdrug online doctor (? I think it's called) is one of the places that does HPV testing and you can then book HPV vaccination through them too.

TheZeppo · 19/08/2019 19:01

My most recent smear test told me in the results letter that I’m HPV negative. Maybe you could find out that way?

minibroncs · 19/08/2019 19:02

onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/hpv-test.html

healthclinics.superdrug.com/services/hpv-vaccination

Was doubting myself, so went to double check.

minibroncs · 19/08/2019 19:04

Isn't testing for HPV as part of cervical screening a pilot/trial that's only being done in some areas?

daisyboocantoo · 19/08/2019 19:06

Our 44 year old male friend is dying from HPV. He has a matter of months left, and leaves behind a young family.

I am vaccinating DD when the time comes.

SimonJT · 19/08/2019 19:13

GUM clinics will test for HPV, I had my vaccine course at a pharmacy in Hampstead, it was about £160 per dose and I needed three doses.

Fridakahlofan · 19/08/2019 19:15

Is there a dr that can clarify this please?

My understanding is that you can receive a negative hpv result but still have hpv? Because while it is a virus that you have for life it isn’t always active?

I don’t want to confuse people more so please ignore this.

I do sadly have the cancer causing hpv and will be vaccinating my kids.

The information available is SO confusing...

tinierclanger · 19/08/2019 19:15

I just had a smear that told me I was negative- maybe check that way if possible?

99problemsandjust1appt · 19/08/2019 19:23

I had had a colposcopy and some other tests not just a smear when they said I was hpv negative

NavyBlueHue · 19/08/2019 20:18

@Jurassicmuma in my area when you have a smear test you are initially tested for HPV. If you’re negative then they do no further tests on your smear sample. They only look at the cells for changes if you’re HPV positive.

I’m negative so whilst I will still have smear tests I’m very low risk which is nice to know.

Bumpandtoddler · 19/08/2019 20:24

I'm a Dr (science not medical), I study viruses that cause cancer, the test they do for HPV is called PCR, it detects viral DNA in a sample and will detect the active and inactive form of the virus so if it is negative you can be sure you are not carrying the virus.

NavyBlueHue · 19/08/2019 20:31

Thank you @Bumpandtoddler that’s really reassuring to know.

Fizzypoo · 19/08/2019 20:31

I heard that this vaccine isn't really that effective as there are lots of different strains. I'm very pro vaccinations but reading up on this one I didn't give permission for dd to get hers done.

Daphnesmate · 19/08/2019 21:56

I'm the same as you Fizzy, I'm waiting to see if there will be any more information produced about the vaccine but I have it in mind for dd to be vaccinated in the future. Watching this thread with interest.