Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
What is HPV?◦STD that includes more than 100 types.◦Certain types are “high-risk” while others are
“low-risk”
How common is HPV?◦20 million people are currently infected◦50% of sexually active men and women will
acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives
◦By age 50, at least 80% of women will have acquired genital HPV infection.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
How do people get genital HPV infections?◦Primarily spread through genital contact,
intercourse isn’t necessary.
What are the signs and symptoms of genital HPV infections?◦The virus lives in the skin or mucous
membranes and usually causes no symptoms
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
How is genital HPV diagnosed?◦Pap tests in women◦No tests available for men
Is there a cure?◦No cure, although it usually goes away on its
own.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
What’s the connection between HPV infection and cervical cancer?◦HPV can develop into cervical cancer
How can people reduce their risk of genital HPV infection?◦Refrain from genital contact or have a
monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.
Gardasil
What is Gardasil and what is it used for?◦Protects against certain diseases caused by
HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
Key Information◦Does not substitute for routine cervical cancer
screening and may not fully protect everyone who gets vaccinated.
◦Works best when given before any contact with HPV has occurred.
Gardasil
Who can and cannot receive the vaccination?◦Gardasil is for girls and women 9 to 26 years of
age.
Before receiving the vaccination◦Talk to your health care provider
Gardasil
How is it given?◦3 doses of the vaccine
First Dose: at a date you choose Second Dose: 2 months after the first dose Third Dose: 6 months after the first dose
What are the side effects?◦Has been shown to be generally well tolerated◦Most common side effects include:
Pain, swelling, itching, and redness at injection site Fever Nausea Dizziness Vomiting Fainting
Gardasil
What are the components of Gardasil?◦Main parts are purified proteins from HPV types
6, 11, 16, and 18.
Will Gardasil help is a person already has HPV?◦May benefit because most likely, the individual
is not infected with all four types of the virus.
Gardasil
Efficacy◦Gardasil was effective in preventing HPV types
6, 11, 16, and 18 if an individual was not already infected.
Gardasil
Precautions◦General◦Pregnancy◦Pediatric Use◦Geriatric Use
Adverse Reactions◦Overall, 94% of subjects who received Gardasil
in studies judged their injection site adverse experience to be mild or moderate in intensity.
Controversy & Ethics of Gardasil
Other States◦Virginia and New Mexico, New Hampshire and
South Dakota, Iowa
Minnesota◦Considering the vaccine to be recommended
for girls entering sixth grade