Hacker News Reader

Comment by woofyman | Hacker News Reader

Or if you're an adult (either sex) and sexually active.

For men, the vaccine is only approved for adults up to the age of 26. My primary physician claimed it's assumed that anyone above that age already has one or more strains of HPV.

I don't know if you can pay for it out of pocket if you're too old. I'd assume you would also want to be tested first, instead of just randomly getting vaccines, but apparently there's no HPV test for men; the approved tests are all for women.

From the CDC

>However, some healthcare providers do offer anal Pap tests to men who may be at increased risk for anal cancer, including men with HIV or men who receive anal sex.

>I don't know if you can pay for it out of pocket if you're too old.

Yes you absolutely can. You can also get the shingles vaccine even if you're too young.

I paid for it when I was 26. A bit over $600 for the shots, and paid my doctor's copay each visit.

I thought it was one of my better uses of excess income that isn't guaranteed in the future.

I'm an internet stranger proud of your actions. Thanks for doing your part.

Yes, definitely. I'm 34, male, and paid the $500 out of pocket for myself.

Does it do anything against Amy hpv strain you have? Or does it curb future infections of strains one doesn't have?

It's less effective against strains you're already infected with, but not entirely ineffective against them. That's why widespread vaccination at an age before sexual maturity is suggested.

Keep in mind that HPV is not necessarily a permanent infection. HPV infections are commonly cleared, putting you at risk for reinfection, which the vaccine will help protect against. It will also help protect you from further infections by the covered strains.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com