The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the fastest spreading infection around the world today. HPV is an infection that can cause warts or certain types of cancer. There are approximately 40 types of HPV virus, but HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 are the most dangerous ones to humans today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 17,500 women and 9,300 men are affected by cancers caused by HPV each year. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women around the world after breast cancer. Scientists and researchers have developed the HPV vaccine to protect individuals from the dangers of HPV and cervical cancer. There are many people who exempt themselves from getting the vaccination. …show more content…
The 3-shot Gardasil series was approved by the FDA in 2006 for girls to be vaccinated by the ages of 9-12 to prevent cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (Basu). The vaccine does not contain any of the virus itself or DNA of HPV in the Gardasil vaccine, so it cannot cause any HPV- related illness or cancer. The Gardasil vaccine contains “aluminium, Sodium Chloride (salt), water, L-histidine, Polysorbate 80 and Borax, to stimulate the immune system and keep the vaccine stable and suitable for injection” (“How Does the HPV Vaccine Work?”). The vaccine is made by tiny proteins that look like the outside of the HPV virus. If the body were to be attacked by the HPV virus, the body would use antibodies to prevent it from growing and become immune to it. Gardasil has shown to be 100% effective in preventing HPV infections 6, 11, 16, and 18. The HPV shot also prevents the most common health problems caused by it. The vaccine is meant to be given to girls between the ages of 9-12, the optimal age of when the vaccine produces a high immune response, and catch up ages from 13-25. The vaccine is most effective before any sexual contact to ensure that the body is not exposed to the infection …show more content…
It would benefit the community, from an outbreak of HPV, which could harm them and those around them. Finally, it would have a positive impact on the doctors and medical researchers, because it would lower the risk of anyone contracting HPV and that would be one less virus or cancer they have to spend thousands of dollars treating. The doctors and medical researchers would be able to focus on other major, life-threatening health issues. The vaccine is a major public health milestone in preventing cancers in women and men as well. Cervical cancer developed from HPV causes death in women in their prime and causes distress with precancerous lesions. Genital warts cause major discomfort and bleeding which could lead to HIV. So why not prevent a problem before it is a problem? As mentioned before, typically, 9-12 year old are not aware of the consequences of HPV or STIs since it is learned later on in schools. Also, children of that age group are not commonly sexually active, or know little to none about it. The chances of children being sexually active after being vaccinated are not as high as some would