There are currently two manufacturers that have permission and licensure from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide HPV Vaccine. These two manufactures are GlaxoSmithKline under the name Cervarix and Merck under the name Gardasil.

HPV Vaccine variations

These two HPV Vaccines are not the same, each is has been developed by their respective manufacturer and are made with proprietary formulations. Both vaccines have been developed using microscopic elements of HPV within their formulations. This is similar to the way in which all vaccines are produced. The microscopic parts of existing HPV will not infect the person receiving the vaccine. Both of these vaccines have been proven safe, effective, and critical in the fight against HPV and both are administered with three separate shots.

There are a few differences between the two types of available HPV Vaccine. While both vaccines protect the vaccinated from HPV types 18 and 16, the primary types responsible for most cases of HPV related cervical cancer, only the Gardasil vaccine is able to target HPV type 6 and type 11, these being the HPV types most linked with the formation of genital warts. The Gardasil product is also the only one of the two that is allowed as a vaccine for use in male patients and only Gardasil has the clinical tests available that show its effectiveness against specific HPV related anus, vulva, and vagina cancers.

When to apply HPV Vaccine

The United states Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all females be vaccinated at ages 11 to 12 in order to protect them from cervical cancer. If they choose the Gardasil HPV Vaccine this protection will extend into the other types of HPV that Gardasil has been proven to be effective against. Though the ages from 11 to 12 for girls is recommended the CDC has stated that if not yet vaccinated, all females between 13 through 26 years of age would benefit from vaccination.

Vaccination for males between 9 and 26 years of age is also recommended, though the primary target for HPV Vaccine by the CDC is young women. This is due to the impact HPV has on women over men and it is thought by the CDC, right or wrong, that vaccinated women at this young age will in turn protect men as the virus is primarily transferred through sexual contact and females will already have been immunized. In an ideal world and for maximum protection it is recommended that both females and males be vaccinated in order to thwart this malicious virus.

The HPV test is a specific test that is applied to a sample of cells that is taken from the cervix of the patient being tested. The cervix is located inside the female body beyond the top of the vagina. It is round in shape and forms the lower portion of the uterus and is attached to the top of the vagina.

HPV Test Info

During the test the doctor follows the same procedure as with a standard Pap test. In fact the cell sample from the cervix for an HPV test is oftentimes also taken during a Pap test. It is up to the doctor if he wants to take a single sample and have it subjected to both the Pap and HPV test or if he wants to take a two samples, one for each test. Either way, for the purpose of an HPV test alone, only one sample is needed.

In order for the doctor to be able to easily access the cervix, the patient is required to lie down, on their back, and then lift their knees placing their heels in stirrups so they can maintain the position and be relaxed at the same time. The doctor will then use a speculum to dilate the vagina in order to allow the doctor to easily access the cervix and take a cell sample. The speculum itself takes on many different shapes and sizes, some are metal and others are plastic and disposable. The use of the speculum should not hurt in any way, it should simply give a feeling of pressure against the vaginal walls.

Once the doctor can access the cervix a sample of cells is taken from the area by using a spatula or brush. The spatula and brush are gentle instruments that are used to delicately take cells from the cervix. This, just as with the entire procedure, should not create any pain nor discomfort. It is a simple and gentle process. After this the patient is allowed to remove themselves from this position and sit normally. There is no recovery time nor activity restriction after this HPV test.

HPV Test Results

After the cell sample has been taken, the cells are sent to an independent testing laboratory. This laboratory will specialize in performing specific DNA tests to the cells in order to determine if the patient has HPV. Once the HPV test is completed the laboratory reports the results back to the doctor, who then communicates them to the patient. The time it takes to get the results varies depending on how busy the testing laboratory is at the time.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name given to a grouping of over 150 viruses that are genetically related to each other. A person can be infected with more than one type of HPV at any one time. The types of HPV that are linked with cancer are specifically referred to as carcinogenic, oncogenic, and high risk HPV types. All types of HPV, high and low risk, actually cause the body to grow cells that are abnormal, but only the specific high risk HPV types have been specifically linked as a cause of cancer.

HPV cancer and the different HPV types

Of the 150 types of known HPV, 10% or 15, are high risk and known to lead to HPV cancer. Of these 15 types there are two, types 16 and 18, that are linked to over 70% of HPV related cervical cancer and type 18 alone is directly related as a cause of 85% of cancers of the anus. Oropharyngeal cancer also known as cancer of the pharynx or throat is almost exclusively caused by type 16 HPV. Infection of the genitals with HPV is also a common cause of vulva, penis, and vagina cancer.

HPV Vancer Stats

It has been estimated that nearly five percent of all cancer throughout the world is directly related to one or more types of HPV. Cervical cancer currently has a 33% mortality rate within the United States and out of the 12,000 cases diagnosed in the United states in 2011, 4,000 of the patients are expected to die. Worldwide, cervical HPV cancer is likely to be found in 500,000 women and with a 50% mortality rate outside of the United States, 250,000 of these women are expected to die. The statistics for anal cancer in men is that of the 5,000 cases yearly in the United States, 770 will die.

The primary risk factor in being infected with HPV is having multiple sex partners. This is not to say that infection with HPV will lead to HPV cancer. Even high risk type HPV infections, even those that are connected with persistent abnormal cell growth and change in the cervix, rarely turn cancerous. In some studies it has been found that the percentage of high risk persistent infections that turn cancerous are very small and may be affected by other risk factors such as having had multiple children or if the patient smokes.

Limiting the number of partners that a person has genital contact with over their lifetime is the best way to limit risk for HPV cancer. This limited contact must be mutual between both partners. Some research has shown that consistent use of a condom for all types of sexual interaction can limit exposure to the virus but will not prevent infection entirely.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is by far the sexually transmitted disease that is most prevalent within the United States. In fact it has been documented that, at a minimum, 50% of those that are sexually active will have HPV genital warts within their lifetime. There is no differential between HPV, HPV warts, and HPV genital warts. They are all phrases that refer to the same condition.

HPV Genital Warts Infection

HPV genital warts is not a sexually transmitted disease, but is in fact a sexually transmitted infection. This infection can manifest itself in more than 40 different ways and each of these types of HPV can infect the genital area of both females and males. It is also possible for these infections to spread to the throat and mouth area of both males and females. Most individuals that are infected with HPV do not know and yet these infections can cause the infected individual to experience health issues and related symptoms.

This infection is transmitted by skin to skin contact. This contact can be between the genital areas of two individuals or to the mouth and throat area of an individual that is engaging in oral sex. You can get infected your first time having this type of contact and you can get infected whether you are engaged in heterosexual or homosexual activities.

HPV Genital Warts Vectotrs

Because it is is common for individuals to not know they are infected and because the infection can stay with a person for years, it is possible for someone to pass on an infection even if they have had no other sexual contact for several years. There is no second chance or virgin pass with HPV genital warts your first time, or first time in a long time, can be enough for you to become infected or to infect another.

It has been said repeatedly that many people do not know they are infected. With this being said it is common for people to then not be concerned over the infection, after all if no one knows they have it, why be concerned? The primary reason for concern is that in some cases, HPV genital warts can cause severe problems in the person infected and these problems can lead to cancer and even death.

This means that if you are infected with HPV genital warts and you are not manifesting any symptoms you can be the person that infects another that is sensitive to the infection and as a result experiences severe complications, even death. This is why it is important to understand this condition and to understand how your actions can impact another person even if the infection is not directly impacting you.

Are HPV Genital Warts Dangerous

HPV genital warts are dangerous, they are common, and they are likely to infect you if you lead a sexually active lifestyle. This infection can appear on your body and in a few months disappear forever or this condition can kill you. That is the problem with HPV genital warts, there is no way to know how any one of the 40 variations will react with your body. This makes any sexual activity akin to a life threatening gamble and should make anyone think twice about living a sexually promiscuous lifestyle.