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Genital warts/HPV/Condyloma
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HPV vaccine
Originally Published: May 13, 2005
~ Last Updated / Reviewed on: April 01, 2008
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Dear Alice,
I recently began hearing rumors about an HPV vaccine in the works. Do you know anything about the HPV vaccines being tested and when they might be available? Also, will the vaccines cure HPV or just prevent it? Thanks in advance.
Yours,
Dear J, Those rumors are true! In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine called Gardasil that protects against certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is commonly known as the virus that causes genital warts. Over 100 strains of HPV exist, and at least 30 strains can infect the genitals. Two strains, HPV-6 and HPV-11, cause approximately 90 percent of genital warts. Two other strains, HPV-16 and HPV-18, cause approximately 70 percent of cases of cervical cancer. The new vaccine provides protection against these four strains. The vaccine is currently recommended for girls and women ages 9 to 26. It's given as three injections over six months, and no serious side effects have been shown. It's most effective when administered before people become sexually active, but it will work as long as a person hasn't been exposed to the specific strains of HPV against which the vaccine protects. Clinical trials are currently underway to test the vaccine's effectiveness in men and women over age 26. Research shows the vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective in preventing diseases caused by the four strains of HPV in young women who hadn't been infected. As is common with new vaccines, it's unclear at this point how long the protection will last. A second vaccine called Cervarix, which protects against HPV-16 and HPV-18, is currently being tested and may be available in early 2008. Columbia students who are interested can discuss the vaccine with their primary care provider by making an appointment through Open Communicator or calling x4-2284. Non-students can contact their health care provider for more information. The HPV vaccine does NOT cure HPV or protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It's important for women to continue to get annual pap smears because, even with the vaccine, it's still possible to get cervical cancer. Pap tests are great at detecting pre-cancerous or cancerous changes in the cervix, and early treatment for cervical cancer or pre-cancer is very effective. Now that you're in the know, read some of the related questions to help you decide whether the vaccine is for you. Best of luck,
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