Gardasil Vaccine Now FDA Approved to Prevent Throat Cancer

On June 12, 2020, the FDA has (finally) approved an expanded indication for the Gardasil-9 vaccine for the prevention of throat and other head and neck cancers caused by the HPV virus. This vaccine was originally designed to prevent cervical cancer, but is now indicated to also prevent vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers [ link ]. This FDA approval is long overdue given throat cancer due to the HPV virus is THE most common cause of throat cancer for young adults under 50 years of age... eve…

6/13/2020 0

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"The Flu" vs "H. Flu" (Hint, they are not the same thing)

Electon microcope image of the influenza virus. Image from Wikipedia . Prior to 1933, the flu was thought to be caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae and not a virus. Since 1933, we now know that the flu is actually caused by the influenza virus (types A, B, and C). However, there is much confusion among patients and even healthcare professionals who still erroneously consider Haemophilus influenzae and the flu or influenza to all be the same thing... they absolutely are not! …

10/13/2019 0

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Oral HPV Infection is Prevalent in Adult Men

A population study was published in October 2017 revealing a high prevalence of oral HPV infection in men between ages 18 - 69 years. This study is important because HPV is known to increase the risk of not only cervical cancer, but also oral and throat cancer. And in young adults under 50 years, it causes more throat cancer than even smoking. [ more info ] From a public health policy concern, more importantly, it is also "contagious" in that one partner can transmit their HPV in…

10/22/2017 0

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Map of Vaccine-Preventable Outbreaks Over Time

Image by Council of Foreign Relations The council of foreign relations have produced an interactive map the shows the concentration of vaccine-preventable outbreaks throughout the world over time. Such diseases include measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and whooping cough . The take-home point of the map is that diseases that were once considered "eradicated" due to near-universal vaccinations have now made a tremendous comeback which is felt almost certainly due to the anti-vacci…

5/03/2014 0

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Vaccine to Prevent Throat Cancer

Spread through oral sex, it is well established that human papilloma virus (HPV) types 16 and 18 cause the vast majority of throat cancer especially in men... even more than smoking and drinking alcohol. What was not known, but suspected, was whether in BOTH men and women the HPV vaccine Cervarix (made by GSK) or Gardasil (made by Merck) would help prevent throat cancer as effectively as cervical cancer for which it is FDA approved for. At least for the vaccine Cervarix, a randomized, co…

7/19/2013 1

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Another Egg-Free Flu Vaccine Approved by FDA

First there was Flucelvax  introduced in 2012 and now there is Flublock , both considered egg-free for those concerned with egg allergy in traditional flu vaccines. Rather than being cultured in eggs, Flucelvax is cultured in mammalian cells and Flublock is grown in caterpillar cells injected by an insect virus containing the flu gene. Both vaccines are approved for use in people 18 years and older. Why the concern of egg-allergic patients with the traditional flu vaccine used to defend…

1/17/2013 1

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Egg Free Flu Vaccine Approved by FDA

Why the concern of egg-allergic patients with the flu vaccine used to defend against both seasonal and pandemic flu virus ? Traditionally, the flu shot vaccine (both H1N1 and seasonal) are grown inside eggs which is where this concern arises. It also doesn't help that the pre-flu shot questionnaire specifically asks about egg allergy. Though egg-based, during vaccine production the egg protein is filtered out such that there should be no egg contaminants in the final vaccine. However, i…

12/02/2012 0

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Is Flu Shot Safe for Patients With Egg Allergy?

It is the season for flu shots... and with that... we invariably get phone calls from patients asking whether it is safe to receive the flu shot if they are egg allergic. Generally speaking, the blunt answer is that it is safe... even if you have a life-threatening egg allergy. Why the concern? The flu shot vaccine (both H1N1 and seasonal) are grown inside eggs which is where this concern arises. It also doesn't help that the pre-flu shot questionnaire specifically asks about egg allerg…

10/09/2012 0

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Should Boys Also Get Vaccinated for HPV?

NPR on Aug 20, 2010 aired a story whether boys should also get vaccinated for HPV. It is well established that vaccines like Gardasil (FDA approved for boys in 2009) and Cervarix protect against two of the HPV types (HPV-16 and HPV-18) that can cause cervical cancer and some other genital cancers including anal, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancers. However, it may potentially prevent other types of HPV related disorders (NOT mentioned in the NPR story) involving the head & neck in both …

8/20/2010 0

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WP: Vaccine that Prevents the High of Cocaine!

The Washington Post on January 5, 2010 published a story " Testing of cocaine vaccine shows it does not fully blunt cravings for the drug " describing research in which participants were unable to experience the high of cocaine with use. Apparently, the vaccine creates antibodies to the cocaine that prevented its effects. Cocaine is an important illicit drug in the ENT world as it is associated with multiple nasal problems including septal perforation, nasal bleeding , rhinitis, na…

1/05/2010 0

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Google Flu Shot Finder

The brainy folks at Google has been at it again... Not only did they produce a map showing the flu trends in the US ... but now they have produced a Flu Shot finder based on zip code for both seasonal as well as H1N1 vaccines. The locations are displayed on their Google Maps page. Check it out here !

11/11/2009 0

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Possible Dystonia (Rare Neurological Condition) After Flu Shot

Desiree Jennings, a former Redskins cheerleader, received a seasonal flu shot on Aug 23, 2009 and has suffered from a possible dystonia reaction from the flu vaccination resulting in difficulties in eating, talking, and walking. Here is a link to a video where Dr. Stephen Grill (neurologist) is interviewed by Fox News regarding Desiree's condition. Here is a video/article of the initial story. This story is a case of a VERY unfortunate EXTREMELY rare side effect (if true) of the fl…

10/26/2009 1

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WSJ: FDA Approves Gardasil for Boys (and Girls)!

This was reported by the Wall Street Journal on Oct 16, 2009. Why is this significant from an ENT perspective? Well, gardasil is supposed to vaccinate people from getting HPV related diseases like genital warts which would help both genders when individuals become sexually active. Of more note, it has been specifically shown to help prevent cervical cancer in females which is a big killer of women. However, it may potentially prevent other types of HPV related disorders involving the head…

10/17/2009 0

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