HPV Vaccine Approved By FDA

The FDA approved an HPV vaccine this summer. Currently the vaccine is only available for women between the ages of nine and 26. Even though men can be affected by certain strands of HPV, the vaccine is not yet approved for them. HPV, known as the Human Papillomavirus, can cause common skin warts, especially on hands and feet. However, HPV is generally transmitted through sexual contact. About 30 different types of HPV can be transmitted through sexual contact. HPV can cause mild or severe consequences, from genital warts in men and women, to cervical cancer in women, and penile and anal cancer in men. Sexually-transmitted HPV is common. By adulthood up to 75 percent of women will be infected with one or more types of HVP stands. It is hoped that the new vaccine will dramatically reduce the number of cervical cancer cases. Currently, over 4000 women die from cervical cancer every year.