Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that infects the cells of the female reproductive system causing neoplastic lesions (mostly cervical cancer), as well as genital warts in both men and women. The virus can also infect the mouth and throat. There are roughly 40 known types of HPV.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease, with roughly 50% of adults estimated to have a genital infection at some point in their lives. Most people clear the infection without incidence, but persistant infection can cause disease. In recent years a vaccine has been developed to protect against the most virulent strains that cause warts and the cancerous changes induced by their persistent infection. Merck's Gardasil is the original vaccine approved in 2006 and GlaxoSmithKline recently (Oct. 2009) received FDA approval of Cervarix. Both vaccines are given as a series of three injections to teen girls and young women (<25 years of age) over the course of roughly 6 months prior to sexual activity.
Image: left, normal cells; right, HPV infected cells. Source
Topic Rating: 32
