GARDASIL®9 FOR STUDENTS
HPV does not discriminate. It can cause genital warts – not to mention HPV-related cancers.
HPV infection in young adults
FACT:
An estimated 75% of sexually active Canadians will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime.
FACT:
Certain HPV types can lead to genital warts and HPV-related cancers in men and women.
FACT:
It is estimated that every 10 minutes, one Canadian develops genital warts.
FACT:
Condoms may not be enough to protect you against HPV – they only protect the area they cover.
FACT:
Even if you may have been infected with one type of HPV, vaccination can still help protect you from other types of the virus contained in the vaccine.
FACT:
Being in a monogamous relationship does NOT protect you from HPV infections.
HPV infection can lead to several HPV-related cancers and diseases in men and women, for example:
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Small, cauliflower-like growths that may itch or burn. They can be raised or flat, small or large, and grow alone or in clusters.
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Symptoms can include anal bleeding, difficulty passing stools, pain, lumps, itching or discharge.
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Symptoms can include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain during intercourse, increased vaginal discharge, pain in the pelvic area or lower back, weight loss, lack of energy and shortness of breath.
How to help reduce your risk
HPV vaccination is one of the top ways to help protect yourself against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.
You can also help reduce your risk of HPV infection by:
Limiting your number of sexual partners
Using a condom correctly and consistently
Not smoking
Ask if GARDASIL®9 is right for you at your campus clinic or a pharmacy near you.
The vaccine may be covered by your school or your parents’ or caregivers’ private insurance plan.
Please contact your university to confirm vaccine availability.
Frequently asked questions
GARDASIL®9 can be administered in boys, men, girls and women ages 9 to 45, to help protect against infection caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 and certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.
For more information about GARDASIL®9, talk to your healthcare professional.
Using a condom is not a guarantee for complete protection against HPV, because it only protects the area it covers. HPV can still be contracted through skin-to-skin contact beyond the area the condom is covering. Using condoms may reduce your chances of getting HPV, but it is highly contagious, and condoms do not provide full protection. You can get infected just by skin-to-skin or oral contact with the genital area, and without having intercourse. That said, using a condom is a great way to reduce your risk of HPV infection, not to mention an excellent way to protect against other sexually transmitted infections.
Being in a monogamous relationship does not protect you from HPV infection either. All it takes is 1 infected partner for you to be infected. You can spread the virus without knowing you are infected because you may not have any visible symptoms.
For more information about GARDASIL®9, talk to your healthcare professional.
Yes, you can, but only your healthcare professional can tell you if GARDASIL®9 is right for you. If you’re already sexually active, you may still benefit from GARDASIL®9. Though GARDASIL®9 cannot treat an existing HPV infection, you can still benefit from GARDASIL®9 if you are already infected with one type of HPV. Even if that HPV type is contained in the vaccine, GARDASIL®9 will still help protect you against the other eight types.
For more information about GARDASIL®9, talk to your healthcare professional.
Have additional questions? Check out our FAQ page.
