Many of the girls on campus are aware of a new vaccine called Gardasil. This is the first vaccine developed to help prevent cancer and other diseases in females caused by certain types of genital human papillomavirus (HPV). In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that 20 million people in the US had this virus. There are many different types, some of which are harmless. Most infections are transient and go away on their own. At least 60% of sexually active people catch HPV during their lifetime, both males and females. Many do not show symptoms. The new vaccine, Gardasil, protects against only four types of HPV (types 6, 11, 16, and 18), which represent only a small fraction of the more than 100 different types. But these four are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. This vaccine is recommended for all females ages 9-26 years old.

Ideally, the vaccine should be administered before the onset of sexual activity. Females who already have been infected with one or more HPV types would still get protection from the vaccine for the types they have not yet acquired.

Unfortunately, the vaccine requires three doses and is moderately expensive at about $140 per dose. Fortunately, most insurance plans cover this vaccine.

HPV causes many other warts in addition to genital warts. However, it is HPV as it infects the genital tract that has been linked with cervical cancer.

Although prevention, perhaps from this vaccine, is best, there is treatment for genital warts; no chemical or physical means of actually destroying the infection site exist. The best protection against HPV is abstinence. Condoms can also help prevent the spread of HPV. The manufacturer of Gardasil is investigating its use in males (for whom it is not as yet approved), but because the vaccine is expensive and because males of course are not subject to cervical cancer, the marketability is questionable and the determination of safety (from studies) has not as yet been made.

Sources: www.cdc.gov

Red Book, 2006 report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, American Academy of Pediatrics

FDA News, June 8, 2006