POZ Community Forums

Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: wiser on October 22, 2009, 10:47:32 pm

Title: Gardisal approval for HPV/ Who Should Get It
Post by: wiser on October 22, 2009, 10:47:32 pm

I read today's post on the FDA approval of Gardisal for HPV prevention. Are there any guidelines as to taking this vaccine for HIV+ men?

Title: Re: Gardisal approval for HPV/ Who Should Get It
Post by: Nashvegas on October 24, 2009, 05:01:44 pm

I don't know whether they've issued any guidelines, but I can tell you that I got the vaccine about a year ago, before it was approved for males.  I've never had anal warts, but based on everything I'd read about them on these forums, I wanted to do anything I could to protect myself from hpv. So my doctor gave me the vaccine on an "off label" basis...  I'm really glad I did. 

Title: Re: Gardisal approval for HPV/ Who Should Get It
Post by: edfu on October 24, 2009, 08:02:18 pm

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=14578.msg182161#msg182161 (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=14578.msg182161#msg182161)

This earlier thread about this question may be of some help.  It should also be noted that HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world.  Most gay men are infected with HPV, and most of those are infected very quickly after initiating sexual activity.  It is estimated that most sexually active adults, both gay and straight, are infected with HPV by age 25.  Also, anal intercourse is not necessary for infection; HPV can be spread through various skin-to-skin contacts.  There are many strains of HPV, and it has not yet been definitively proved that the vaccine can treat and/or protect against strains of HPV that have already been contracted.  

P.S.  Note that the correct spelling for the vaccine is Gardasil.

Title: Re: Gardisal approval for HPV/ Who Should Get It
Post by: NYCguy on November 02, 2009, 03:22:10 pm

I got the vaccine also and glad I did.  I'm still not clear on the benefit for men who have already had anal or genital warts, but it seems like it would still be a good idea, no?  Also, I read somewhere that there is now a program to pay for the vaccine for men if insurance doesn't cover it.  Does anyone know where more info is about that?