A way to prevent a number of strains of human papillomavirus, often called HPV, is through an HPV vaccine. There are currently two different brands on the market: Gardasil, marketed by Merck, and Cervarix, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline.

In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil in the United States. This option provides protection against most strains of HPV, a common sexually transmitted disease, including types 16, 18, 11, and 6.ACS: Frequently Asked Questions About Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccines

Gardasil's competitor is Cervarix, which is marketed specifically in the United Kingdom. Cervarix protects only against the HPV strains 16 and 18, which are responsible for causing 70% of cases of HPV-related cervical cancer.ACS: Frequently Asked Questions About Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccines

The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor for specific information on the HPV vaccine.

1. Wikipedia: HPV Vaccine

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: HPV Vaccine Questions and Answers

3. Official Site (Merck): GARDASIL

4. Washington Post: Transcript: Dr. Richard Schlegel Q&A (January 16, 2007)

5. FDA News: FDA Licenses New HPV Vaccine (June 8, 2006)

6. NPR: States Consider Requiring HPV Vaccine for Girls (February 5, 2007)

7. American Cancer Society (ACS): Frequently Asked Questions About Human...