HPV Vaccination
The human papallomavirus, which is commonly referred to as HPV, is a sexually transmitted disease. This virus has now become one of the most common STDs in our nation, and in others. There are more then thirty to forty varying strands of this virus. HPV is also the most highly transmitted virus due to the fact that not only can you become infected by it through sex but also through touch and saliva. This virus has been proven to be the leading cause of cervical cancer in seventy percent of women. HPV is a virus that affects both men and women. Not only can it lead to cervical cancer in women, but it can also lead to prostate and gastrointestinal cancer in men as well.
Fortunately there are two vaccinations out there to help in the prevention of certain types of HPV. These vaccinations are Gardasil and Cervatrix. Both of these vaccines help to protect against the initial infection of HPV types sixteen and eighteen. These types of strains are known for causing most cases of cancer associated with HPV. These help to prevent types of HPV but they do not help in the therapeutic effects of existing HPV infections or warts. We will delve further into the vaccinations separately and what they do for the prevention of HPV specifically.
Gardasil:
Gardasil is a vaccine that targets specific strains of HPV. Gardasil can only help prevent the transmission of HPV infections it cannot treat therapeutically the virus itself. The strains it targets are types sixteen, eighteen, six and eleven. Types sixteen and eighteen are commonly known to be the strains that lead to the causes of seventy percent of females with cervical cancer and also lead to males with prostate and gastrointestinal cancer. Types six and eleven are known for causing ninety percent of cases of genital warts.
The most effective way to begin taking this treatment is to start it before HPV infections occur. After the high statistics that came out recently stating that HPV has now become the highest STD in our nation and other countries throughout the world, the U.S Food and Drug Administration, stated that vaccinations before adolescence and sexual activity are highly recommended. Studies have shown that HPV will affect seventy-five percent of males and females in their lifetime. That is an astounding number. What makes HPV so scary is that you cannot always see if someone is carrying the virus. Not every person has visible signs, such as genital warts. Therefore it is pertinent to receive the vaccination.
Cervarix:
Cervarix is another vaccine that targets specific types of HPV, specifically the cancer-causing ones. Cervarix targets HPV types sixteen and eighteen, which currently are the leading cause of cervical cancer in women. This has become one of the biggest factors of the prevention of HPV. The numbers of cervical cancer are astronomical and Cervatrix created a vaccination to help prevent cervical cancer and reduce the number of women becoming infected.
Similar to Gardasil, Cervarix is not a therapeutic vaccination. It cannot help in the treatment of HPV but it can help in the prevention of it. Cervarix is given intravenously over a span of six months and a series of three shots. This treatment should help in the prevention of HPV strains sixteen and eighteen, to help in the prevention of these strains of HPV and of cervical cancer.
These vaccines are the only two on the market to help in the prevention of certain strains of HPV. Both are the most effective when given before sexual activity has occurred, or there has been any exposure to the human papillomavirus. Even though these vaccinations help reduce the risk of cervical cancer and genital warts they will not help in the treatment of this virus. The more knowledge and information that you receive on this the more you are aware of your options. There is ongoing research in the fight against HPV and we are all extremely hopeful that one day we will find the right treatment to help the complete prevention of this virus.
Are they trying to find a cure?
R there any vaccines for men too? most seem like they are for women.
