HPV

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV), if unrecognized and untreated, can lead to cervical cancer.  Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in women, and it is responsible for taking the lives of 240,000 women worldwide.  In the United States alone, 10 women die of cervical cancer every day.

Certain low-risk types of HPV cause genital warts and can lead to abnormal Pap test results.  There are about 1 million cases of genital warts in the United States and 32 million worldwide which are caused by some type of HPV strain.  By age fifty, 80% of women will have acquired the HPV.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is selected by the Secretary of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide advice and guidance to the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary for Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the control of vaccine-preventable diseases.  The ACIP has recommended that all women ages 11-26 receive the HPV vaccine to reduce the incidence of genital warts, HPV infections, and cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine is a three shot series and it is available at all Passport Health locations.

Source: CDC Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine (02/02/07)


So, if you are asking yourself, “what shots do I need?” click here to locate the Passport Health location nearest you, or call 888-499-PASS (7277).