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STD VACCINATIONS Hey folks. Been doing a little research into STD vaccinations, which tend to be a series of injections that help protect you against certain sexually transmitted diseases and think they could be very useful for people who are exploring the swinging lifestyle. It’s worth mentioning that I am based in the UK but I’m sure other countries such as the USA and most other major European countries will offer the same services. These services can either be found at your: Doctors Sexual Health Clinics Private Healthcare Clinics Reputable Pharmacies For example some may be available at your doctors or local sexual health clinics for free, whilst others you might have to pay for at private healthcare facilities or good reputable pharmacies, but guess you can not put a price on safety. WHAT I HAVE FOUND SO FAR: 1: HPV - Human Popilloma Virus: The Human Popilloma Virus is extremely common and doctors say most sexually active people will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. In many cases there are no symptoms but it can lead to anal cancer / throat cancer / cervical cancer / and cause genital warts. There are generally two types of vaccinations against HPV which include: Gardasil: Which prevents infection from HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, which are the types of HPV which cause 90% of genital warts and is used to prevent cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and throat. Gardasil 9: Prevents infection by the same types of HPV as the Gardasil, but Gardasil 9 also includes protection against HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, 58. Which collectively are the types of HPV associated with cervical cancers. My Thoughts: This seems to indicate that MEN should be vaccinated using the general Gardasil, but that WOMEN should be vaccinated using Gardasill 9 which offers more protection against cervical cancer. Taking into account men don’t have a cervix then there would be no need for men to get protected against cervical cancer. However I’d make sure to speak with your doctor / healthcare professional whoo will recommend the correct vaccination for you. It is worth pointing out that in most places the vaccination for HPV is only given to young people / young women. However various private clinics and pharmacies are happy to vaccinate men or people aged up to 44 years old against HPV. The HPV virus like many others can be spread by anal / vaginal / or oral sex. In many cases your own immune system will kill the virus but having a vaccination against it will severally increase your immune system against the virus and perhaps help to stop you contracting it in the first place. You can find more information on the vaccination on the link below, or try doing a internet search to find out more information for your specific area: HPV Vaccination Service| Travel Health | Health & Pharmacy - Boots 2: Hepatitis A: Is usually a disease contracted from contaminated water or food, however it can also be spread by sexual contact / close contact with an infected person. The disease attacks the human liver and can cause symptoms such as: Tiredness / Fever / Loss of Appetite / Diarrhoea / Nausea / Abdominal Discomfort / Dark Coloured Urine / Jaundice / Itching Skin / Vomiting / and in very severe cases even Death. Whilst the majority of people will recover from Hepatitis A within 2 to 6 months of been infected it can cause serious issues for older people / very young children / those who are already suffering other medical issues. In some cases it is reported that a person can fully recover from Hepatitis A which does grant them immunities against the disease but then they become re-infected at a later date, that the disease is somehow reborn in their body seeing them infected all over again. Whilst catching Hepatitis A is rare in places such as the UK / USA and can be prevented by eating clean fresh food and water / washing hands / good hygiene practices / safe sex its worth noting that a series of 3 injections will effectively give you immunities against the disease for about 25 years. My Thoughts: Taking into account Hepatitis A can be contracted simply by close contact with an infected person then I’d say this disease is potentially very dangerous for families. In many cases an STD would require “Sexual Contact / Sexual Penetration” where as Hepatitis A can be spread simply by “Close Contact” for example if someone kisses you / kisses your hands which could effect young children. 3: Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is the more common sexually transmitted version of Hepatitis and is usually spread by sexual contact / the passing of bodily fluids. Again it attacks the human liver and causes a variety of symptoms such as: Vomiting / Rashes / Joint Pain / Tiredness / Headaches / Loss of Appetite / Flu Like Symptoms / Jaundice / Liver Cancer / Liver Failure / Death. The world health organization estimate that in 2015 around 887’000 people died from Hepatitis B and its complications. There is usually a series of 3 or 4 injections to vaccinate against Hepatitis B but studies have shown it grants immunities against the disease for up to 20 years. It is also worth mentioning that Hepatitis B does have an “Incubation Period” meaning for 40 to 160 days it may not even show up on blood tests. My Thoughts: Well taking into account an estimated 887’000 people died from Hepatitis B in 2015 alone then I’d say its fairly serious for those who explore sexually. It does take a series of injections and then a “Booster Injection” sometime later to be fully vaccinated against the disease but if you can arrange the injections and the following booster injection then immunities against the disease for 20 years sounds great. PRICES: In the UK some of the prices I have found for these vaccinations are: HPV - Full 3 Injections = £450 Hepatitis A - Full 3 Injections = £120 Hepatitis B - 1 Injection = £49 In many cases you will need a “Booster Injection” which is given about 6 to 12 months after the main vaccinations. PLEASE make sure to ask your doctor or pharmacists about these “Booster Shots” because if you complete the full series of injections and a booster injection later it offers protection for 20 to 25 years after. MY OVERALL THOUGHTS: I know from experience that one of the barriers / issues people have with swinging and multiple sexual partners is the risk of catching an STD. Yes a lot of people would like to sexually explore, a lot of people would like more sexual experience, but they also fear catching an STD. That in many cases a concerned wife might refuse to swing because of the risks of catching an STD. That perhaps a concerned mother or father may refuse to swing in hopes of protecting their family. However you could say getting vaccinations against HPV / Hepatitis A&B would dramatically lower that risk. Taking into account that STD’s / STI’s such as Chlamydia / Gonorrhoea are easily treatable with antibiotics then the main worry would be HIV. That basically if you vaccinate yourself against HPV / Hepatitis A&B and many of the other STDS / STIS are treatable with antibiotics then overall your going to be a lot safer. I hope someone finds this information useful and that it perhaps gives people some ideas about how to protect themselves better.
