Spring Break
HPV shot may have side effects for women
Carla Mancebo
Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: News
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Hundreds of girls and women who have received the new human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccination have experienced some side effects since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine last June according to a report from the U.S. Department of Health Human Services.
More than 500 instances of fainting spells have been reported after injections of the three-shot series vaccination, according to the same report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
"Fainting spells can occur with any injection, even blood draws, as a result of a reflex called a vasovagal reflex," said Dr. Cecilia Manibo, medical chief of staff at the Student Health Center.
The vaccine, Gardasil, protects against four types of human papillomavirus, which may cause genital warts and cervical cancer, Manibo said.
Despite the risk of the reported side effects some students would get the vaccine.
"I would get it," said Adriana Handono, a junior majoring in communications studies.
"I talk about this with my friends, we heard about it and talked about all getting it," said Jessica Tung, an international student from Hong Kong and an SJSU junior majoring in psychology.
The Department of Health report says there have also been a few reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome after doses of the vaccination.
This syndrome is a disorder that causes paralysis in the muscles caused when the body's immune system attacks part of the nervous system, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
"Guillain-Barre has occurred rarely with other vaccines but most often after a viral illness," Manibo said. "It is hard to attribute it to a specific vaccine."
Latex condoms do not fully protect against HPV infections but the use of condoms has been correlated with a decreased rate in cervical cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Human papillomavirus is a common sexually transmitted disease. Though there is no cure most infections in women go away on their own, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More than 500 instances of fainting spells have been reported after injections of the three-shot series vaccination, according to the same report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
"Fainting spells can occur with any injection, even blood draws, as a result of a reflex called a vasovagal reflex," said Dr. Cecilia Manibo, medical chief of staff at the Student Health Center.
The vaccine, Gardasil, protects against four types of human papillomavirus, which may cause genital warts and cervical cancer, Manibo said.
Despite the risk of the reported side effects some students would get the vaccine.
"I would get it," said Adriana Handono, a junior majoring in communications studies.
"I talk about this with my friends, we heard about it and talked about all getting it," said Jessica Tung, an international student from Hong Kong and an SJSU junior majoring in psychology.
The Department of Health report says there have also been a few reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome after doses of the vaccination.
This syndrome is a disorder that causes paralysis in the muscles caused when the body's immune system attacks part of the nervous system, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
"Guillain-Barre has occurred rarely with other vaccines but most often after a viral illness," Manibo said. "It is hard to attribute it to a specific vaccine."
Latex condoms do not fully protect against HPV infections but the use of condoms has been correlated with a decreased rate in cervical cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Human papillomavirus is a common sexually transmitted disease. Though there is no cure most infections in women go away on their own, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Connie Wilson
posted 3/08/07 @ 4:10 PM PST
My husband was diagnosed with cancer in Oct of 2005 (and suffered for months before diagnosis). He has been battling cancer ever since experiencing pain, nausea, radiation burns, etc, etc. (Continued…)
beth
posted 4/21/07 @ 2:02 PM PST
I went in for a ruinine pap test to refill my birth control when my primary care doctor suggested that i get the HPV Vaccination, said it was almost 100% effective and really talked it up. (Continued…)
Carolyn
posted 8/03/07 @ 10:14 AM PST
Why is it so hard to find what the side effects on this new HPV shot? Is it really good to be given to 13 years old girls? I am concerned parent and need to know!!! Every prescription drug has dangerous side effects, and over 20 percent of them come to the market with out warnings. (Continued…)
sarah handy
posted 11/28/07 @ 6:19 AM PST
i am 18 years old and just got my last hpv shot yesterday. i too- jus tlike your daughter am a virgin. my gyno recommended me for the shot and i had recieved them all with no side effects. (Continued…)
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