Young, Queer Men Should Be Getting the HPV Vaccine

Young, Queer Men Should Be Getting the HPV Vaccine

There's been some recent good medical news on the HPV front and young, queer men should be aware! We love promoting sexual activity here at Fleshbot Gay, and part of that sexy freedom is also being responsible about your health. We've shared a lot of info regarding the benefits of PrEP and Doxy as part of your hookup regimen, and this time around, we are talking to the younger queers, look into getting your HPV vaccine!

The Human Papillomavirus, aka HPV, basically put, is the most common viral infection spread through sex. There are over a hundred types of HPV, with more than 30 strains of HPV that can affect your genitals. Harmless forms of HPV can cause genital warts, and a few strains are high-risk that can lead to cancer. About 14 million people will contract HPV each year, and almost everyone who is sexually active will contract it during their lives, with many not even knowing they have it.

Most healthcare providers will administer an HPV vaccine to youth, and it is recommended that everyone get the vaccine before they become sexually active. Experts advise that young, gay men should get the vaccine if they don't already have it, as gay men have an extremely high rate of genital and anal warts. Not cute. HPV can be transmitted via oral sex. Getting the vaccine helps avoid getting genital warts and it can guard against HPV strains that can lead to head and neck cancers, as well as penile and anal cancers.

The National Cancer Institute released data this week that one shot of a vaccine has been found to be as effective as two shots (the previously recommended vaccine dose). Some patients haven't been so good about getting a round 2 of the vaccine, so this new data means they are still heavily protected. This also helps with resources in giving the vaccine to communities and nations that don't have ready access to medicine due to economic situations. Even being able to give out one shot can help curb the spread immensely.

The FDA states that anyone up to the age of 26 should be getting the vaccine. Those who are 26 to 45 should consult their doctor to see if it is still advisable. Over the age of 45 is seen as unnecessary, as most adults over that age who have ever been sexually active probably already have it. It is estimated that 80 million of the nation's population have it.

There are ways to protect yourself if you have aged out of the vaccine or already have HPV. Medical experts suggest that men check their anus out with their fingers on a regular basis to feel for any lumps or lesions. Treatment of anal cancer is most effective when a lump is discovered at 1 cm or less. Those living with HIV are at a higher risk. Men should be getting regular physical checkups in their butt that includes an anal pap smear. A swab is taken into the anal cavity and cells are collected to analyze for cancer presence. Men with HIV should be getting this annually, and 2 - 3 years for HIV negative men in their late 40s and up.

We know that our current nation's Department of Health and Human Services has an interesting view of vaccines and gay health. Let's all roll our eyes as we take care of ourselves and be proactive.

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