GARDASIL

Gardasil (Merck & Co.), also known as Silgard, is a vaccine against certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Gardasil is the only cervical cancer vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of human papillomavirus (HPV): 2 types that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. Gardasil is for girls and young women ages 9 to 26. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections cause nearly all cases of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the fifth leading cause of death from cancer in women world-wide, and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the majority of developing countries. Gardasil is only effective in preventing HPV infections, not in treating those already infected by HPV, and so the vaccine must be given before HPV infection occurs in order to be effective. For this reason it is recommended to administer the vaccine before adolescence and the onset of sexual activity. Read more ...