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Parents may soon have a new tool to protect kids against a sexually transmitted disease that is most likely to strike teens.

HPV, or the human papilloma virus, often has no symptoms. But if left untreated it could lead to cervical cancer.

Should teens be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease?

“Couldn’t hurt,” says16-year-old Lily Feinberg.

“I think that it’s a great idea,” says 17-year-old Jerrica Donaldson, “because there’s a lot of kids these days that are sexually active – and it starts, really, as early as middle school.”

An HPV vaccine could be available by summer.

One group of candidates for the new vaccine is expected to be pre-teens.

“Data in the US shows that about 25 percent of 15-year-old boys and girls have had sexual intercourse,” says Dr. Lauri Markowitz, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, “so we certainly would want to get the vaccine into boys and girls before they begin sexual activity at that age.”

According to the CDC, more than half of sexually active people have had HPV at some point in their lives.

It’s a disease that often has no symptoms. Many people who have it never even know.

“For most people HPV will resolve spontaneously,” says Dr. Markowitz, “so in most individuals, it doesn’t cause any problems. However in some people it can persist and lead to changes in the cervix that lead to cervical cancer.”

The CDC expects the vaccine to be safe and effective. Still, some parents worry the vaccine will send the wrong message.

“’Well, here we are vaccinating you against a sexually transmitted disease just in case you decide to become sexually active.’ I don’t really think that’s a decision kids need to be making for themselves, especially at that age,” says Chris Montgomery, mother of two.

Experts say parents who get kids the vaccine should explain it does not protect against all sexually transmitted diseases. “It’s one disease, it’s not every disease,” says mother Barbara Feinberg. “There are other bad, bad things that are out there.”

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the vaccine, which is manufactured by Merck, this summer. Shortly afterwards it should be available at doctor’s offices around the country.

What We Need To Know

• Merck is expected to ask the Food and Drug Administration to approve Gardasil, its version of the HPV vaccine, this summer. The Centers for Disease Control is expected to issue official recommendations as to who should get the vaccine – once the product is licensed. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)




• Teens between the ages of 14 and 19 have the highest prevalence rate for HPV in the United States. Most people who contract the disease do so within the first few years of having sex. (Dr. Lauri Markowitz, M.D., Medical Officer, Centers for Disease Control)




• Often HPV has no symptoms. In some cases, it may cause genital warts. People with HPV will not know they have it unless they happen to have a wart or get a pap smear. In some cases, HPV can lead to cervical cancer. (The American Cancer Society)




• In the United States, 27% of women who have cervical cancer die within five years. (American Cancer Society)




• Although it is more rare, boys with HPV can develop penile cancer or anal cancer. (Dr. Lauri Markowitz, M.D., Medical Officer, Centers for Disease Control)




• Since most people do become sexually active at some point in their lives, parents who opt to get kids the vaccine should explain to their children that they will need the vaccine to protect them when they are adults. Clinical trials show that the vaccine produces a good antibody response in early adolescence, therefore it may be a good time to get children vaccinated. (Dr. Lauri Markowitz, M.D., Medical Officer, Centers for Disease Control)




• The vaccine does not protect against all strains of HPV. It does, however, protect against the strains that lead to cervical cancer 70% of the time. (Dr. Lauri Markowitz, M.D., Medical Officer, Centers for Disease Control)

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention




• Food and Drug Administration




• American Cancer Society




• Merck & Co.

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