Sex and the Single Girl

That was the title of a best seller a few decades back - when the pill was just emerging on the market and women were shedding their girdles.
Now it's got a new meaning .. particularly when it comes to infection prevention.
As kids are heading off to or back to college, many parents will be discussing the HPV vaccine with their daughters. It's the vaccine that can prevent infection with the human papilloma virus - linked to cervical cancer.
It's recommended for girls ages 11 and 12 - presumably before they become sexually active and exposed to HPV.
But there are many older girls / teens - who haven't been sexually active for whom the protection is appropriate.
But the vaccine WILL NOT work against current infection .. this is not a treatment .. it's a preventative.
So moms - and other women in responsible roles - it's time to discuss this with your daughter's physician.