HPV Epidemic Even Worse Than Thought

I've beaten my gums a lot lately over the (literally) half-assed response to the epidemic of HPV, the sexually transmitted virus that can cause deadly cervical cancer.

Merck & Co., which sells Gardasil, an HPV vaccine, got my goat because it hijacked the public-health system to fear monger states into instituting mandatory vaccaine programs -- but only for half of the infected population. That would be females.

Merck's antics aside, now comes word that an extraordinary one in four U.S. women ages 14 to 59 is infected with the sexually transmitted virus that in some forms can cause cervical cancer, according to a report from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The highest prevalence — nearly 45 percent— was found in young women within the age range recommended for Gardasil.

Merck has announced that it eventually will offer the vaccine to boys and men.

More here. And click here for a look at the study.