Gardasil Vaccine

   Stolen from http://www.topnews.in/usa/merck-gets-fda-s-priority-review-its-cervical-cancer-shot-gardasil-2123                                                                 Stolen from http://oncologiaesalute.wordpress.com/2008/01/20/vaccinazione-con-gardasil/
                                                                                                            Ribbon stolen from  http://ferretfancier.blogspot.com/2008/10/gps-sailing-close-to-wind.html

What is HPV?

HPV is a virus that both men and women can get. There are many types of HPV, but there are a few that are dangerous. Types 16 and 18 can cause Cervical Cancer and Types 6 and 11 can cause genital warts. Most people with HPV do not show symptoms. HPV can be passed on by any gential contact. Most peoples defense system can fight off HPV.

What is Gardasil?

The Gardasil is a vaccine, for women ages 9 to 26, that helps protect women against cervical cancer. It protects women from four different types of HPV, which cause cervical cancer. Two types of HPV that Gardasil protects cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, but it does not protect women from all strads of cervical cancer (Gardasil). It also helps protect against two types of HPV that cause 90% of genital warts cases (The facts). It is important for women who are allergic to the Gardasil ingredients not to recieve it. The vaccine is not for prgnant women. Although, gardasil can prevent cervical cancer, HPV, and genital warts, it is not it is not completely effective and it cannot sure HPV or cervical cancer (Gardasil).

How do women recieve Gardasil?

Gardasil is given as a shot in three doeses. The first is given whenever the reciever decides to get it. The second dose is recieves 2 months after the first does. The third dose is recieved 4 months after the second dose. If the vaccines are not given in the correct amount of time, the reciever will have to start over with the first does. It is important for women who are allergic to the Gardasil ingredients not to recieve it.

Side effects

Some women may side effects from the vaccine such as: pain, swelling, itching, redness around the area where the vaccine was injected,nausea, fever, vomiting, dizziness, and faiting (Gardasil). IT is important to take care of symptoms (if any) as soon as possible.

What is Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer is cancer of the cervix usually caused by HPV. It is caused by abnormal cells that the body's defense system can't fight off.

What are ways to protect yourself?

Condoms can help somewhat, but uncovered areas infected with HPV can still pass it on.  Pap smears can help detect any abnormal cells before it delelops into cervical cancer. A pap smear can detect any kind of HPV not jst the main four (6, 11, 16, and 18). The gardasil vaccination can also help prevent HPV; so it is important for women who are approved to get it The only way to be completely protected from HPV is abstinence.

Statistics

8 out of 10 women will have HPV by the age of 50 (The Facts). About 11,150 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States in 2007. Most women diagnosed with cervical cancer are between the ages of 35 and 55. About 270,000 women world wide die from cervical cancer every year (Gardasil). World wide, the fifth leading cause of death from cancer in women is Cervical Cancer; also, it is the leading cause in the majority of developing countries (Gardasil). Most women diagnosed with Cervical Cancer are between 35 and 55 years old, nearly all of them were exposed to HPV in their late teens and early twenties. (The facts: What you should know about a virus called HPV)

Sources

"The Facts." Gardasil. 2008. 21 Oct. 2008.  <http://www.gardasil.com/gardasil-information/index.html>
"Gardasil." Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. 21 Oct. 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardasil>