Guard Your Health with Gardasil
The Vaccine to Prevent Cervical Cancer
Gardasil vaccine helps protect against four types of HPV (human papillomavirus); strains 16 + 18 that cause 70% of cervical cancer and strains 6 + 11 that cause the majority of genital warts. |
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| Q: |
What is HPV or the human papilloma virus? |
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| A: |
The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus. It is passed by skin-to-skin contact. HPV has been around for centuries, but today much more is known about it than in the past. There are more than 100 strains of this virus. About a half dozen of the strains are linked to reproductive cancers: cervical, penile, and anal cancers. |
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| Q: |
What is Gardasil? |
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| A: |
Gardasil is a vaccine produced by Merck Pharmaceuticals that helps prevent four strains of HPV – 6-11-16 +18. These strains are some of those most commonly involved in the development of reproductive organ cancers and genital warts. |
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| Q: |
Who should get vaccinated with Gardasil? |
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| A: |
Currently the vaccine is recommended for females ages 9 to 26. |
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| Q: |
Are there any side effects? |
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| A: |
As with all vaccines, there may be some side effects with Gardasil. Gardasil has been shown to be generally well tolerated in women and girls as young as 9 years of age. Some side effects reported are: pain, swelling, itching and redness at the injection site, fever, nausea, dizziness. Rarely difficulty breathing has been reported. Should anyone receiving the vaccine have unusual or severe symptoms, they need to contact their health care professional. |
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| Q: |
What does Gardasil cost? |
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At FPHS, Gardasil costs $140 per injection. An injection fee and office visit may add to the cost. |
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| Q: |
How can I get more information? |
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Go to http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV-vaccine.htm or www.gardasil.com |
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