Although sexually transmitted infections are still a serious part of sexual behavior on college campuses, a new drug has been released that aims to prevent some of their devastating effects.

In June, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer, precancerous genital lesions and genital warts due to the human papillomavirus.

Now that vaccine, called Gardasil, is being offered in clinics and at universities nationwide, including Iowa State, for females ages 9 to 26.

“It’s a vaccine that women are very lucky to have,” said Lauri Dusselier, health promotion supervisor at the prevention, education and outreach center at Thielen Student Health Center. “We are recommending it to everyone that can get it.”

HPV is the most common STI in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20 million Americans are infected with genital HPV and less than half of them know they have it.

“Many times HPV shows no symptoms, and therefore it spreads quickly and easily because people don’t know they are spreading it,” said Kathi Di Nicola, director of marketing and communications at Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa.

“Women should be screened for HPV regularly to prevent spreading it further.”

Of the 20 million Americans who are infected with genital HPV, between 10 and 15 million have high-risk types that cause cervical cancer.

HPV is the root of cervical cancer, a serious disease that can be life-threatening. Cervical cancer is caused by certain HPV types that cause the cells in the lining of the cervix to change from normal to precancerous lesions. If these are not treated, they can turn cancerous.

“It is a good idea to take advantage of this vaccine because cervical cancer is very real,” said Marc Shulman, staff physician at the Student Health Center. “We now have a vaccine available for students that can prevent this disease, which is wonderful.”

There are more than 100 types of HPV, 40 of which can infect the genital area. Gardasil helps prevent against four types.

Merck & Co., Inc., the manufacturer of the vaccine, has said it selected the four types – types 6, 11, 16 and 18 – because they cause approximately 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts.

“An expectation of many people is that this [vaccine] will prevent all types of STDs,” Shulman said, “but it only prevents against the four types of high-risk HPV.”

Gardasil is a recombinant vaccine, meaning it contains no live virus, that is given as three injections over a six-month period. Merck currently charges $120 per vaccination.

So far, not many females have requested the shot from the Student Health Center.

“The price of the vaccine is a little high now, but it usually takes a few months for insurance companies to accept a drug and offer it in their plans,” Dusselier said.

It could also be because the word about the vaccine has not spread around enough.

“The vaccine is very new and not well-known yet,” Shulman said.

“It’s great to get some word out about it because it is very important.”

Students can make appointments to receive the vaccination at the Student Health Center by calling 294-5801.

The vaccination will also be available at Planned Parenthood beginning Nov. 1.