The human papillomavirus, or HPV, causes genital warts and other infections within the throats and genitourinary systems of both men and women. It can also cause cervical cancer, the second most common cause of cancer deaths in women. HPV infections can also lead to cancer of the vagina, vulva and other body tissues in both men and women. Merck manufactures a vaccine called Gardasil that provides long-term protection against specific strains of the HPV virus.
Reaction to Injections
Gardasil, like other injected vaccines, can cause dizziness, fainting and seizure-like movements in some people. It's important to protect the affected person from falling and injuring herself during this time. These symptoms are usually temporary and go away once the affected person lies down with her feet elevated.
Common Side Effects
According to Merck, the most common side effect of Gardasil is headache in girls, boys, men and women. Some people also experience nausea, dizziness and fainting. MedlinePlus notes that 8 out of 10 individuals report redness at the site of their Gardasil injection. Others report pain, bruising, swelling or itching at the injection site. The vaccine can also trigger a mild fever of less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in 1 out of 10 people, and a moderate fever between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit in 1 out of 65 individuals.
Serious Side Effects
Merck notes in its product literature that some people develop an anaphylactic response to components of the vaccine. Anaphylactic symptoms include hives, rash, swelling of the lips and face and difficulty breathing. Gardasil is made with yeast, so individuals with a severe yeast allergy, or those with previous allergic responses to the Gardasil vaccine, should not receive any more Gardasil injections.
Long-Term Effects
Merck publishes a list of various symptoms that can occur up to several months after a Gardasil injection, and should be reported to a health care provider. These include fatigue, chills, chest pain, muscle aches or weakness, stomachache and bruising or bleeding more than normal.
Myth
Because the Gardasil vaccine can cause fever after it's injected, some people believe it can cause an HPV infection. However, Gardasil contains antibodies to the HPV virus rather than live viruses, so it won't cause an infection.
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