What are the risks versus benefits of getting the vaccine (Gardasil) to prevent HPV?

HPV is the most commonly transmitted sexual disease. Most people who develop HPV exhibit no symptoms as their immune systems are able to fight off the infection. However, some women who are infected with HPV develop lesions on their cervix that have the possibility of developing into cervical cancer. People who are contemplating whether or not to be vaccinated or have their child vaccinated for HPV do so in attempt to hopefully prevent the possible development of cervical cancer. Out of the over 100 different strains of HPV, fifteen of them have the risk of developing into malignant tumors. The current HPV vaccines are aimed at preventing two of these strains: HPV-16 and HPV-18. The vaccine currently approved for use in the US has shown many promising results in preventing the contraction of HPV. However there is still a serious debate within the medical community as to whether there is enough evidence and long term results from the current studies of the vaccine to fully recommend that people, especially young adolescent girls receive the vaccine.

The potential benefits of receiving the HPV vaccine should be weighed the risks as well. Although most Gardasil side effects that have been reported were not serious some side-effects of HPV vaccine that were reported include:

• hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• transverse myelitis
• Pancreatitis
• Venous thromboembolic events
• Pain
• Nausea
• Headache
• Fever