DEAR DOCTOR K: My 14-year-old daughter got the Gardasil vaccine, which protects her from cervical cancer caused by HPV. But boys can get HPV, too. Should my teenage son also get the vaccine?
DEAR READER: HPV stands for human papilloma virus. There are more than 100 strains of HPV; about 40 of these strains can be transmitted by sexual contact.
DEAR DOCTOR K: I'm a young woman recently diagnosed with genital herpes. The doctor says there's no cure. Can you give me some advice on how to live with this condition?
DEAR READER: I'd like to have a word or two with your doctor. Genital herpes is definitely a problem and not to be minimized, but the words "no cure" make it sound almost fatal.
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Dr. Anthony Komaroff is a practicing physician, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Editor in Chief of Harvard Health Publications. Learn more »
Harvard Health Publications is the publishing division of Harvard Medical School, providing the general public with authoritative, trustworthy, and accessible health information. Learn more »
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