Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine

Since there is no reliable way to prevent infection with HPV (except abstinence or being in a mutually monogamous lifelong relationship), the best approach to preventing the diseases caused by HPV (certain types of cancer and genital warts) is the vaccination with HPV vaccine before the person is infected. There are 2 vaccines currently available. One, Cervarix, protect against HPV 16 and 18 that cause 70% of all cases of cervical cancer. The other, Gardasil, and protects against HPV 16 and 18 that cause 70% of all cases of cervical cancer and also protects against HPV 6 and 11 that cause 90% of all cases of genital warts. Cervarix is FDA approved for the prevention of cervical disease caused by HPV16 or 18. Gardasil is FDA approved for the prevention of cervical disease caused by HPV 6, 11, 16 or 18 but also for the prevention of vulvar, vaginal and anal disease caused by these HPV types in both men and women and for the prevention of genital warts caused by these HPV types.