What Are the Dangers of the HPV Vaccine?

The Human Papillomavirus, commonly referred to as HPV, is actually a group of viruses with over 100 different strains. Most people who contract HPV have no symptoms and will recover from the virus without ever knowing they had it.
Gardasil is currently the only option for HPV vaccines, and it will remain that way until at least 2017, when its patent is set to expire.
Of all of the HPV strains, over 30 are sexually transmitted. Some of the sexually transmitted strains can cause genital warts, and others can cause cancer. The most common cancer caused by HPV is cervical cancer, although rarer cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, and anus also occur.

History

• Gardasil was tested in five clinical trials on over 21,000 girls and women. In August 2006, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended that females from age 9 to 26 years of age get the vaccination.
  It has not been tested for effectiveness in males. It has proven ineffective in treating women who already have HPV when they are vaccinated, but it may offer protection against strains that they don't have at the time of vaccination.

Misconceptions

• Gardasil has been heavily marketed as a "cervical cancer" vaccine, when in fact it is a vaccine against a virus which has the potential to cause cervical cancer. This should not be construed to mean that it protects against all cervical cancer or that regular pap smears and exams can be skipped.

Mild Side Effects

• Common short term side effects that have been reported after injection of Gardasil are: fainting (syncope), mild to moderate fever, itchiness at injection site, swelling at injection site, dizziness, diarrhea, and nausea.
  Before it was known that fainting after the injection would be so common, head injuries were not uncommon. Now the package insert and clinician training includes language to have the patient remain seated or lying for 15 minutes after the injection to prevent this.

Serious Side Effects

• Less common, but more serious side effects include: Guillain-Barre Syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, and blood clots.
  Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a disorder in which the immune system attacks the nervous system, which results in muscle weakness, tingling, and numbness. Severe cases can lead to complete paralysis and death, but most patients recover from the disorder with treatment.

  Pelvic inflammatory disease affects the uterus, Fallopian tubes, or other reproductive organs. The symptoms are frequently mild or non-existent, though extensive damage can be done to the reproductive organs, possibly resulting in infertility.

  Blood clots developed after Gardasil were frequently in the legs, lungs, and heart. They can be fatal if left untreated.

Pregnancy

• Some women who were injected with Gardasil while pregnant reported spontaneous abortions and birth abnormalities. The Centers for Disease Control does not recommend getting the vaccination if you are pregnant.