Gardasil is a vaccination available to women for the prevention of cervical cancer caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Gardasil protects girls and women ages 9 to 26 against four different types of HPV, according to Merck, manufacturers of the medication. This include two types of HPV responsible for causing 70 percent of the cases of cervical cancer, and two types of HPV responsible for causing 90 percent of all cases of genital warts. To ensure optimal protection, women should receive all three of the recommended Gardasil vaccinations. There are some complications associated with the Gardasil vaccination.
Flu-like Symptoms
Women may experience flu-like symptoms following injection with the Gardasil vaccine. During clinical trials, approximately 93 percent of women who got the Gardasil vaccination reported experiencing complications that included flu-like symptoms, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, fever, headache and dizziness. Patients should consult a physician regarding the use of acetaminophen for the relief of headache and fever. A fever that is not relieved by medication or that is accompanied by changes in vision should be brought to the attention of a doctor.
Fainting and Injury
Fainting is common in adolescent females after getting the Gardasil vaccine, which may lead to further complications such as injury from falling, reports Merck. Patients should remain seated and be under a physicians watch for at least 15 minutes following vaccination to prevent complications.
Injection Site Complications
Women may experience complications at the site of their Gardasil injection. Common reactions include swelling, itching, pain, redness, soreness or bruising at the site of injection, says Merck. The use of a cold compress or ice pack can help alleviate swelling and discomfort. These complications should relent within a few hours or days following vaccination. A severe injection site reaction should be brought to the attention of a physician.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
In rare cases, some women have developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, or GBS, after receiving the Gardasil vaccination. GBS is a a condition in which the immune system begins to attack the nervous system. Symptoms of GBS include severe muscle weakness and abnormal sensations throughout the body, which may begin in the lower extremities and spread to the upper body. Depending upon the severity of GBS, patients may develop complete paralysis, which may lead to lung paralysis and respiratory arrest. Muscle pain, weakness, and tingling following Gardasil vaccination should be brought to the attention of a medical doctor.
