Human papillomavirus, or HPV, can cause genital warts, cancer of the cervix and various cancers of the vulva or vagina. Gardasil prevents genital warts and cervical and vaginal cancers caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 in girls and young women ages 9 through 26. Gardasil also prevents genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11 in boys and young men ages 9 through 26. Discuss all health concerns with a doctor before getting the Gardasil vaccine to avoid serious side effects from occurring.
Allergic Reaction
People who have had an allergic reaction to vaccines in the past should refrain from getting Gardasil. The Gardasil vaccine is given in a series of three shots. Drugs.com warns against receiving a Gardasil booster vaccine if a life-threatening allergic reaction occurred after the first shot. Signs of an allergic reaction to Gardasil include hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
Pregnancy
Drugs.com doesn’t recommend Gardasil for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It’s not known whether the Gardasil vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Therefore, women nursing a baby should not receive the Gardasil vaccine.
Fainting
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fainting can occur after the injection of the Gardasil vaccine, especially among adolescents. Health care providers who administer the vaccine should have the individual remain seated for up to 15 minutes after vaccination. Failure to do so could result in falling after fainting, which may cause serious injuries, including head injuries.
Infections
Drugs.com recommends reporting any symptoms of an infection, such as a high fever, fatigue or a general ill-feeling, to the health care professional before receiving the vaccine. People who have a weakened immune system from a chronic illness or from a current infection should not get the vaccine either.
Medical Conditions
People who have thromboembolic disorders, or clotting abnormalities, increase their risk factor for developing blood clots when they get the Gardasil vaccine, warns the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Immobile and obese people, those who use hormonal birth control methods and those who smoke can also develop blood clots from the Gardasil vaccine.
Medications
Discuss all prescription and over-the-counter medications, including vitamins, minerals and herbal products, with a doctor before getting the Gardasil vaccine, states Drugs.com. Certain types of medications can interact with how the vaccine works, and they have the potential to cause serious side effects when they are taken together.
