HPV and Cervical Cancer
HPV and Cervical Cancer
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There's only one sure way to eliminate any chance of HPV infection: Avoid all genital contact with another person. To reduce risk, it's best to have a mutually monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner. But keep in mind, many people don't know if they're infected. Using condoms can help reduce the risk of HPV transmission but are not foolproof. The virus can be transmitted to genital areas not covered by the condom.
A vaccine, Gardasil, was approved in 2006 for use in girls and women aged 9 to 26. It is also approved for use in females and males (also aged 9 to 26) to prevent genital warts and anal cancer.
Another vaccine, Cervarix, was approved by the FDA in 2009. Over time, widespread vaccination will help prevent transmission of the HPV types covered by the vaccines.
The Gardasil HPV vaccine protects against two high-risk strains of HPV, including HPV types 16 and 18, which account for 70% of cervical cancers. It also protects against HPV 6 and 11, which account for about 90% of genital warts. Cervarix protects against HPV types 16 and 18.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends girls be vaccinated with one of the two vaccines between the ages of 11 and 12, before they become sexually active.
HPV and Cervical Cancer
(continued)
In this article
- About the HPV Virus
- HPV and Cervical Cancer
- Rates of Cervical Cancer
- How HPV Is Spread
- Symptoms of High-Risk HPV Infection and Tests
- Treatment of HPV Infection
- How to Prevent HPV Infection
How to Prevent HPV Infection
There's only one sure way to eliminate any chance of HPV infection: Avoid all genital contact with another person. To reduce risk, it's best to have a mutually monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner. But keep in mind, many people don't know if they're infected. Using condoms can help reduce the risk of HPV transmission but are not foolproof. The virus can be transmitted to genital areas not covered by the condom.
A vaccine, Gardasil, was approved in 2006 for use in girls and women aged 9 to 26. It is also approved for use in females and males (also aged 9 to 26) to prevent genital warts and anal cancer.
Another vaccine, Cervarix, was approved by the FDA in 2009. Over time, widespread vaccination will help prevent transmission of the HPV types covered by the vaccines.
The Gardasil HPV vaccine protects against two high-risk strains of HPV, including HPV types 16 and 18, which account for 70% of cervical cancers. It also protects against HPV 6 and 11, which account for about 90% of genital warts. Cervarix protects against HPV types 16 and 18.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends girls be vaccinated with one of the two vaccines between the ages of 11 and 12, before they become sexually active.
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