The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) VaccineThe unforgettable history of vaccines is one of triumphs and controversies. The saddest part of the story is the persistent ignorance and lack of education, along with some parents' personal need to explain their children's problems, which caused the controversy to arise. The good news is that the triumphant reality of vaccines as a whole still represents the greatest and most lasting legacy. The human papillomavirus vaccine is no exception to this rule; in fact, despite all the controversy surrounding the vaccine, it is one of the greatest life-saving gifts that medicine has offered us. What is human papillomavirus (HPV)? According to the US government's National Cancer Institute, human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a collection of more than one hundred viruses, many of which have the ability to grow malignant and other benign tumors or polyps. Some viruses are capable of forming genital warts. The HPVs that cause common warts on the hands and feet are different from those that cause growths in the throat or genital area (Human Papillomavirus). Professors Joe Cummins and Dr. Mae-Wan Ho inform us that some types are associated with cancer and are called “high-risk” HPV. Of the more than one hundred types of HPV, more than thirty can be transmitted through sexual contact. Most HPV infections occur without symptoms and go away without treatment over the course of a few years. However, HPV infection sometimes persists for many years, with or without causing detectable cellular abnormalities. Infection with “high-risk” HPV types is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Pap tests have also made it possible to detect these infections early. Almost all sexually active women will have HPV infection...according to paper...at the Cancer Institute." National Cancer Institute - Comprehensive Cancer Information. Web. October 19, 2009. .Nelson BSN, RN, Roxanne." Controversy Surrounds Gardasil." Print."Vaccine Safety - Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) - Gardasil Reports." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web, October 19, 2009. "The Cost of the HPV Vaccine is turning into a key issue in Texas | Houston and Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle." Houston news, entertainment, research and shopping | chron.com - Houston Chronicle. Web. Oct. 19. 2009. .