There are many different types of HPV, the most common types causing two different but significantly life altering medical conditions.  HPV types 16 and 18 are a major cause of cervical cancer in woman, and HPV types 6 and 11 are associated with the majority of cases of genital warts. Most people infected with HPV don’t even realize it, because their body’s own immune system is able to take control of the virus and they end up having no visible symptoms.  Unfortunately for the other group of people infected with HPV, they can end up developing genital warts, or pre-cancerous lesions of the genital area and cervix, which can develop into cancer.  Cervical cancer is routinely detected by a simple procedure called a Pap smear. A Pap smear is a test made to find abnormal cells on the cervix before they turn into cancer. The Pap smear is simple and quick, and most women have little discomfort. A small wooden spatula and a small brush are used to collect cells from the cervix. The cells are fixed onto a slide and the slide is examined by a pathology lab to make sure the cells look normal.  If a teenager has genital warts or an abnormal Pap test, it could mean she is infected with HPV and may need to be treated to prevent cervical cancer.

The good news is that the FDA has just approved a vaccine against the four most common types of HPV, types 16, 18, 11 and 6.  The vaccine is called Gardisil and is given to females 9-26 years if age in a three dose series over a 6-month period. Studies have shown that this new vaccine is able to prevent the development of cervical cancer and pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix and genitals caused by the 4 most common HPV types, as well as preventing genital warts. The only reported side effect of the vaccine is some local tenderness at the injection site.  One important thing to keep in mind is that there are many types of HPV, more than just the 4 most common types.  Therefore, once you are immunized with the Gardisil vaccine, you are only protected against the 4 most common HPV types (16,18,11, and 6) so you have to continue to have your annual Pap smears with your regular physician in case you are infected with a less common form of HPV. 

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) studies have found that the vaccine to be almost a 100% effective in preventing diseases caused by the 4 HPV types covered by

the virus – including precancers of the cervix, vulva and vagina, and genital warts. The vaccine was mainly studied in young women who had not been exposed to any of the 4 HPV types in the vaccine. The vaccine was less effective in young women who had already been exposed to one of the HPV types covered by the vaccine. The vaccine does not treat existing HPV infections, genital warts, precancers or cancers.

It is important to remember that since the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV, it will not prevent against all cases of cervical cancer or genital warts. About 30% of cervical cancers are not prevented by the vaccine, which is why continued Pap smears are so important. In addition, the vaccine does not prevent about 10% of genital warts nor will it prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs.) So if you are sexually active it is important to practice safer sex to reduce exposure to HPV and other STIs.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined the HPV vaccine to be safe and effective. The vaccine was tested in over 11,000 females (ages 9-26) around the world. These studies have shown no serious side effects associated with the HPV vaccine. Also there is no thimerosal or mercury in the vaccine. It is made up of proteins from the outer coat of the HPV virus. This is no infectious material in this vaccine.

If you are between the ages of 13 – 26 years TeenHealthFX strongly encourages you to talk to your doctor to see if the vaccine is right for you.  If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call Girl Street--A Young Women’s Health Program at Overlook Hospital at (908) 522.2555 or the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at Morristown Memorial Hospital at 973-971-6475 for an appointment. Outside this area contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood.

Federal health programs such as Vaccines for Children will cover the HPV vaccine to children and teens under 19 years of age, who are either uninsured, Medicaid eligible, American Indian, or Alaskan Native.

For more information you can log onto these websites:

Center for Disease Control HPV Information

American Cancer Society

American Social Health Association