A new vaccine for strains 16 and 18 of the human papilloma virus (HPV) is currently going through the federal approval process.

HPV is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) known to cause genital warts. Strains 16 and 18 of HPV are the most common types of HPV to cause anal cancer in men and cervical cancer in women.

A vaccine for these strains would likely protect against cervical cancer in women and symptoms of HPV.

Despite the possible benefits of this vaccine, opposition to the vaccine is high among social conservatives and other groups who fear that vaccinating young teenagers will make them more promiscuous.

"That's ludicrous," said Patricia Koch, associate professor of biobehavioral health. "Does that mean that when people get flu shots, this causes them to change their behavior so that they no longer take their personal health hygiene seriously?"

Koch added that the availability of the vaccine to the public should be treated no differently than any other vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have conducted research that explores the myth that young people who receive sexuality education and health-protective resources are more likely to be promiscuous, Koch said.

"In fact, numerous studies show that the exact opposite is true -- when young people receive comprehensive education about sexuality, they are less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, including having numerous sexual partners and engaging in unprotected sexual activity."

Not only should schools be providing students with a comprehensive education about their sexuality, she said, but families and other community groups should also. It is society's responsibility to make sure that its members are literate and healthy.

Joyce Morgan, nurse practitioner clinical coordinator for Planned Parenthood of the Susquehanna Valley, agrees with Koch. She said research has proven that sexual education does not increase sexual activity.

"As with all sexually transmitted infections, prevention is key," she said. "Not vaccinating against an infection can result in long-term and possible life threatening consequences," she said.

Dr. Robert Heinbach, a University Health Services physician, said HPV is one of the most prevalent STDs in the country with over 140 subtypes, 30 of which are found in the genital area.

"HPV is a very common and usually benign sexually transmitted infection," Morgan said. "It is a common infection that affects skin and mucous membranes, and is the cause of warts."

Genital warts look like small bumps or cauliflower-like growths, he said.

"They can appear anywhere on the genitals -- the vulva, vagina, cervix and anus in women; and the shaft and head of the penis, scrotum, and anus in men," Morgan said.

HPV is transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual, she said. Transmission is usually from vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact, and can occur whether or not warts or other symptoms are present.

"Consistent and correct condom use can reduce the spread of HPV by preventing some, but not all, skin-to-skin contact during sex play," Morgan said.

Many people with HPV never know they have it, she added.

"Even though HPV is considered a cause of cervical cancer, only one out of 1,000 women with HPV develop cervical cancer," Morgan said. "HPV appears to be necessary, but not sufficient, to the development of cervical cancer."

The length of time from infection to detection of cervical abnormalities can take as long as three years or more to detect pre-cancerous conditions of the cervix, she said. Diagnosed early, the initial stages of cervical cancer are nearly 100 percent curable.

Heinbach said that almost all cervical cancer is related to HPV.

Smoking, HIV infection, and the presence of other sexually transmitted infections are all co-factors that may contribute to the development of cervical cancer.

"Annual pap tests and follow up of abnormal results will allow for early detection and treatment, before cancer can develop," Morgan said.

Over 70 percent of all cases of cervical cancer are associated with HPV 16 and 18, she said.

HPV can also cause vulvar cancer and penial cancer, which is rare, Heinbach said.

"It can also be passed from mother to child, but that is unusual," he said.

Vaccines for HPV are currently going through federal approval processes, Heinbach added.

"There is currently an experimental vaccine from the British pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline named Cervarix," Morgan said. "It's the first vaccine to be 100 percent effective against persistent infection with HPV 16 and 18."

Morgan added the vaccine may become available as early as 2006 in Europe.

"It's unclear when the vaccine will be approved for women in the U.S.," she said.

Merck, an American pharmaceutical firm, is also formulating a vaccine, Heinbach said. The company has seen promising results for the HPV vaccine in clinical trials.

"Currently the only vaccine against a prevalent sexually transmitted infection is the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine," Morgan said.

Heinbach suggests that the best things a person can do if he or she is infected with HPV is take a good multi-vitamin containing folic acid and not drink alcohol excessively or smoke.