HPV Vaccine Shown to Prevent Genital Warts in Men

Recent results of a Phase III clinical trial involving Gardasil, a vaccine against four strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), indicate that the vaccine may help prevent genital warts in boys and men. Results of the study, funded by Merck, the manufacturer of Gardasil, were presented earlier this month at the annual meeting of the European Research Organization on Genital Infection and Neoplasia (EUROGIN).

Currently in the U.S., Gardasil is only approved for use in for girls and women aged 9-26. Yet while the vaccine provides protection against two strains of HPV associated with 70 percent of cervical cancer in females, it also protects against strains of HPV that cause genital warts that HPV Newseffect both males and females. The study evaluated approximately 4000 males between 16 through 23 years of age. Study participants received either three doses of Gardasil at regular intervals or a placebo. All participants were followed for 36 months. At the time of vaccination, participants had no evidence of genital lesions, no history of genital warts and five or fewer lifetime sexual partners.

Participants who were vaccinated with Gardasil were approximately 90 percent less likely to develop genital warts than those that received a placebo. No study participants experienced any serious side effects related to vaccination. Merck intends to submit a supplemental Biologics License Application for Gardasil to the FDA by the end of 2008 for the use of the vaccine in boys and men ages 9 to 26 for the prevention of genital warts.

ASHA’s fact sheet on HPV vaccines addresses some of the most common questions about Gardasil and other vaccines in development. ASHA’s website also offers recent data on the safety of Gardasil.

Talk about HPV

FDA Issues Final Rule on Condom Labeling

After an extended review, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published final rules governing the labeling of male latex condoms. Following the evaluation of both clinical and epidemiological research as well as public comments on proposed changes to labeling, the FDA concluded that “scientific evidence today continues to fully support the overall effectiveness of latex condoms in reducing the risk of transmission of common STIs.”

Changes to condom labeling were originally proposed in 2005. Among the proposed changes at that time included language specific to STDs: “Condoms provide less protection for certain STDs, including genital herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, that can also be How to Use A Condom spread by contact with infected skin outside the area covered by the condom. Condoms cannot protect against these STDs when they are spread in this way.”

When the FDA solicited public comment on the suggested changes in 2005, they received more than 100 responses from consumers, health professionals, industry, academia, state and Federal government agencies, as well as professional societies and organizations. After a review of public comment, as well as current research on condom effectiveness, the FDA concluded that recent studies confirmed that latex condoms can reduce transmission risk, and cited recent studies on HPV specifically that provided additional evidence to support this conclusion.

As stated in the federal register, “The benefit of this final rule is that establishing the labeling guidance as a special control ensures that manufacturers will provide consumers with the information they need to make an informed decision regarding the use of latex condoms and to use them safely and effectively. The labeling guidance helps ensure that information provided to consumers does not undervalue the overall STI-risk reduction provided by latex condom use, but does not exaggerate the effectiveness of latex condoms against certain types of STIs.”

This final rule will go into effect January 9, 2009. While latex condoms that were legally marketed prior to the effective date of this final rule will have 11 months from that date to comply with the new labeling requirements, new products will be required to comply immediately upon the rule taking effect.

World AIDS Day Marks 20th Anniversary

World AIDS Day, marked annually on December 1, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The theme for 2008 event is leadership, continuing the theme of last year. Promoted with the slogan “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise,” the aim of the leadership campaign is to highlight the discrepancy between promises made to stop the spread of AIDS and the actions that need to be and have been taken to follow through on these promises.

To celebrate the 2007 and 2008 World AIDS Day theme of leadership, the World AIDS Campaign launched the Stop AIDS Leadership Pledge in November 2007. In collaboration with partner organizations around the globe, this initiative asks people from all over the world to World AIDS Day 2008pledge their leadership to help stop AIDS. Aiming for a goal of 100,000 pledges, organizers will use these commitments to create exhibitions, banners and other visibility actions during events in 2008 and 2009.

Individuals can take the leadership pledge at the World AIDS day site, opting to either speak to friends and family members about AIDS, write a letter or join a rally demanding universal access, or volunteer or donate to an AIDS cause. A list of pledges made across the globe can be viewed at the World AIDS campaign site.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, are also working to promote World AIDS Day through the website www.AIDS.gov and its “Facing AIDS: World AIDS Day 2008” Campaign. “Facing AIDS” is a web-based campaign that focused on ways individuals can take action to show support for those living with HIV and AIDS and raise awareness as well. CDC’s efforts also focus on HIV testing, creating web buttons to promote HIV testing for use on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, and utilizing text messaging to connect people with local resources. With this latter service, cell phone users can send a text message of their zip code to “KNOWIT” (566948). to receive a text message containing one or more local HIV testing sites.

For more information about HIV and AIDS, visit the ASHA site and message board forums.

What are you doing to help spread the word? Maybe you can share this information on your blog and with your friends and co-workers.

You can also visit our message board here on Shut Up N Post! STD Message Board.

What do you want to happen in the community?

So, I am going back to school (I’m a masochist, I know!) for my PhD in Public Health with an emphasis on Community Health and Education. One of my thoughts is to do my dissertation on something STI related, particularly to herpes.

Can you help me out? What are your burning questions and issues with herpes? What do you think could be done better and smarter in the community in terms of educating people?

For instance, the other day, I was visiting coworkers and they got to talking about a girl they knew who really REALLY liked a guy and dated him several times and then he had “the talk” with her. The group acknowledged him (”kudos to the guy for telling her before they got real close and/or intimate”), but all said in knee jerk reaction “oh he has to go bye-bye”. I made the comment that it was very brave of him to tell her and to be rejected out of hand (she left before dinner was served and left the information he had gotten for her behind) had to have hurt. They thought I was being too soft. All I could think was that we really need to increase awareness in the mainstream community about STI’s and how common they are. Oy!

So tell me what you are thinking .. what gets you .. what do you wish was happening in the community, please. I appreciate your help!

Leave your comment here

If you don’t want to sign up for the message board (which is free) then be encouraged to leave a comment here on this post.

Thanks for your help!

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Join OBGear on MySpace!

Wear OBGear. Start a conversation. Increase awareness.

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Happy Birthday Picking Up the Pieces!

Today and for the entire month of October, Picking Up the Pieces will be celebrating 10 years of help people with HSV, HPV and other STD’s.

We are proud of the work that we have done over the years and look forward to many more!

Don’t be a stranger! Come and Celebrate with us!

Guess What You Guys!?

October marks 10 years that we have had this online support group together, Picking Up the Pieces. Yes, we will be 10 years old this month! Can you believe it? (That’s Today!)

I’ve got some surprises in store. Not sure what yet but I can tell you that we are going to have fun this month! So if you have any friends that you think would benefit from being in the group please invite them to join!

STD Clinics in West Des Moines, Iowa

Here’s the question:

I cant seem to find out some info. I need to get STD tested and cant find prices and places to go. I live in West Des Moines and think i have HPV, but would like some prices on tests. Any links with the info i need? Thanks for all your help.

Here’s what I think:

You might try calling the Centers for Disease Control to see if they  have any recommendations. Maybe you can pick up your local telephone book and check to see if you have any free county health services. A lot of the times if you can find a free HIV clinic, you might be able to get accurate STD testing. You can also try making an appointment to see an infectious disease specialist OR even your family doctor.

Please let us know how it works out for you. If there is anybody that lives in Des Moines, Iowa that would like to make a recommendation as to where a person can get tested for STI’s, please leave a comment.

You can also try  your local Planned Parenthood.

Were you trying to contact Oprah Winfrey?

I got this note in my e-mail inbox:

I used to tivo all your shows, just to be sure I won’t miss any, since I use to admire you.All has changed since I found out how unfair your are about Sara Palin, and how you really are trying to use your power to force people  to feel and vote the way you want it. So long, no more of you in my book of life

Here are my thoughts on the issue:

I believe you wrote to me because you thought that you would actually reach Oprah Winfrey. It’s probably because a lot of people wrote to Oprah hoping that she would do a show on herpes.

In fact, you probably saw all those letters to Oprah posted on my Herpes Awareness page. Is that right? Well, you won’t reach Oprah Winfrey from that page.

Just thought you should know.

As for Oprah not having Sarah Palin on her show, I too think that is unfair.

She had Barack Obama on her show when he was promoting his book. She’s trying to make it seem as if nobody is coming on her show while they are running for President of the United States. As if she didn’t know he would be gunning for the White House.

I don’t agree with her at all. I think she should have Sarah Palin on her show and I don’t blame you for boycotting her as a result.

Advocacy Research Help, Please

So, I am going back to school (I’m a masochist, I know!) for my PhD in Public Health with an emphasis on Community Health and Education. One of my thoughts is to do my dissertation on something STI related, particularly to herpes.

Can you help me out? What are your burning questions and issues with herpes? What do you think could be done better and smarter in the community in terms of educating people?

For instance, the other day, I was visiting coworkers and they got to talking about a girl they knew who really REALLY liked a guy and dated him several time and then he had “the talk” with her. The group acknowledged him (”kudos to the guy for telling her before they got real close and/or intimate”), but all said in knee jerk reaction “oh he has to go bye-bye”. I made the comment that it was very brave of him to do tell her and to be rejected out of hand (she left before dinner was served and left the information he had gotten for her behind) had to have hurt. They thought I was being too soft. All I could think was that we really need to increase awareness in the mainstream community about STI’s and how common they are. Oy!

So tell me what you are thinking .. what gets you .. what you wish was happening in the community, please. I appreciate your help! - Janice

Please post your feedback here, Thanks!

Shut Up N Post! STD Message Board