Human papillomavirus, or HPV for short, is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause genital warts and may increase a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer. As of 2010, there are two HPV vaccines that can help protect patients against developing this infection: Gardasil, which is effective against four types of HPV; and Ceravix, which is effective against two types of HPV. Patients should discuss the side effects of these vaccines, such as nausea, with a medical professional prior to treatment.
Nausea or Vomiting
During clinical trials for Gardasil, approximately 7 percent of females between the ages of 9 and 26 reported developing nausea as a side effect of treatment, according to Merck, the pharmaceutical distributor of this HPV vaccine. Vomiting was reported by approximately 2 percent of female patients following receipt of this immunization. In contrast, only 1 to 2 percent of men in the same age group reported similar symptoms.
Treatment with Ceravix caused gastrointestinal side effects of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea in approximately 28 percent of females in clinical trials, reports GlaxoSmithKline, the company that distributes this vaccine. The side effects of this immunization were not evaluated in male patients.
Dizziness or Fainting
Following treatment with either HPV vaccine, certain patients can experience sensations of dizziness of episodes of fainting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns. Lightheadedness or dizziness can exacerbate or instigate nausea side effects in affected patients. To limit the risk of these side effects, a doctor may recommend that patients remain seated for at least 15 minutes following treatment with either HPV vaccine.
Additional Side Effects
Additional side effects can occur in patients who receive either of the HPV vaccines. One of the most common side effects is a skin reaction at the injection site, which can lead to sensations of pain in approximately 80 to 90 percent of patients, the CDC reports. The skin at the site of treatment may also appear red, inflamed or swollen. Certain patients can experience mild to moderate fever side effects, which can contribute to headache pain, chills, fatigue or sweating. These additional HPV vaccine side effects are temporary and progressively subside within a few days of immunization.
Patients who experience severe or persistent fever symptoms or injection site pain should seek care from a medical professional.
