Diseases Prevented
According to the Centers for Disease Control, human papillomavirus (HPV) is a genital infection that is sexually transmitted, which classifies it as a sexually transmitted disease (STD). HPV is actually a group of over 100 viruses, with more than 30 being transmitted sexually. While the viruses can cause genital herpes and cervical cancer, they often show no symptoms, so a person can contract the virus and not be aware that she has it.The papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil protects women against the four most common types of human papillomavirus.
Statistics
According to the American Cancer Society, the Gardisil papillomavirus vaccine will protect against the two viruses that cause 70 percent of all cervical cancer, as well as the two viruses that cause 90 percent of all genital warts. In addition, it will prevent vaginal and vulvar cancers that are caused by these same papillomaviruses. This gives the vaccine the potential of eliminating two thirds of all cervical cancer world wide.
Target Population
The papillomavirus vaccine is recommended for girls that are 11 and 12 years old, as well as girls and women ages 13 to 26. It can also be given to girls as young as 9 and 10 years of age. Ideally, the vaccine is given before the female becomes sexually active, because it does not work as well if she has already been exposed to papillomavirus. The vaccine is given intramuscularly in three doses; the second dose is given two months after the first, and the third dose is given six months after the first dose.
Side Effects
The RX List website states that in five clinical trials of more than 5,000 females, the most common side effects of the papillomavirus vaccine were pain, redness and swelling at the injection site. Slightly over 10 percent of those vaccinated reported fever as a side effect; 3 percent experienced itchiness at the injection site.
