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Gardasil and side effects
Hello Dr. H.
I am a woman of 25 yrs and I have finally completed the Gardasil series for HPV, yet I have had some rather funky symptoms in the four month past. I began the series in February 2007 and completed the entire series this August. The doctors used my right arm for all three shots and my symptoms are sore right arm, sore lower right back and possible swollen tender lymph nodes in the groin, and currently stiff hands and knees, however I have had no high fevers.
The possible reason I assume it may be the vaccine, and hopefully not an STD is that I finally broke up wth my boyfriend in April 2007. After a two year relationship he admitted to sleeping with different women and was not consistent with condoms. In reality we only had sex a total of 25 times (long distance relationship), with only nine occasions of unprotected sex with ejeculation. Throughout the remainder of the relationship, condoms were used, but usually after brief insertion of three to five mintues. Due to a severe yeast infection in January and my mistrust, I had a full workup, a pap smear, a screening for BV, TRICH, CHLAMYDIA, GONORRHEA, AND HIV, all tests were negative and the pap came back clear. When my ex admitted to cheating in April, I contacted my student health center a week after our breakup and the nurse only suggested tests for the common STDs, like chlamydia and gonnorrhea, she also gave me a pat on the back for taking full responsibility for my health. I have learned from your advice in the past that people should not always worry themselves sick over HIV because it is not as common as we think. I also understand that my sexual life is common for thousands of young women in U.S today. The only reason I post is to possibly see if the vaccine for HPV is causing my symptoms or should I possibly make an appointment to check for STDs that were missed.
I am a woman of 25 yrs and I have finally completed the Gardasil series for HPV, yet I have had some rather funky symptoms in the four month past. I began the series in February 2007 and completed the entire series this August. The doctors used my right arm for all three shots and my symptoms are sore right arm, sore lower right back and possible swollen tender lymph nodes in the groin, and currently stiff hands and knees, however I have had no high fevers.
The possible reason I assume it may be the vaccine, and hopefully not an STD is that I finally broke up wth my boyfriend in April 2007. After a two year relationship he admitted to sleeping with different women and was not consistent with condoms. In reality we only had sex a total of 25 times (long distance relationship), with only nine occasions of unprotected sex with ejeculation. Throughout the remainder of the relationship, condoms were used, but usually after brief insertion of three to five mintues. Due to a severe yeast infection in January and my mistrust, I had a full workup, a pap smear, a screening for BV, TRICH, CHLAMYDIA, GONORRHEA, AND HIV, all tests were negative and the pap came back clear. When my ex admitted to cheating in April, I contacted my student health center a week after our breakup and the nurse only suggested tests for the common STDs, like chlamydia and gonnorrhea, she also gave me a pat on the back for taking full responsibility for my health. I have learned from your advice in the past that people should not always worry themselves sick over HIV because it is not as common as we think. I also understand that my sexual life is common for thousands of young women in U.S today. The only reason I post is to possibly see if the vaccine for HPV is causing my symptoms or should I possibly make an appointment to check for STDs that were missed.
A related discussion, How long does Gardasil itself last in my system? was started.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sounds like you can rely on the yeast diagnosis. The NP is exactly right that no herpes outbreak lasts 3 months.
Forgive me, my computer is doing freaky things and posted an unfinished response. I meant to say with the yeast infection, I orginally acquired it in October of 2006 and because I had never had a yeast infection, I blew it off for three months. Only after persistant pain and being fed up with being hardheaded, I finally received medial attention in Janary of 2007. The nurse practioner felt herpes was unlikey because its symptoms would not have remained persistant for three months and she saw no scarring on the cervix and the uterus looked good. However, it never hurts to get tested! Once again thank you for your response and God Bless you for your knowledge and help.
Thank you kindly for you prompt response. As for the severe yeast infection from January, the nurse pactitioner explained that it was just a yeast infection. I had actually acquired it in
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Arm soreness (in the region of the injections) probably was due to the HPV vaccine, but that symptom would not last more than a couple of weeks after the last dose. The other symptoms like you describe are not likely to be due to the vaccine. Among the thousands of people vaccinated during the research trials, a few percent complained of such symptoms afterward, but the proportion was identical in those who received placebo.
There are no STDs that cause the symptoms you describe. The only testable STD you weren't checked for is genital herpes. The first herpes infection can mimic yeast infection, so if there was any question about that diagnosis, you might want to be tested. However, if positive, it won't necessarily mean it caused the apparent yeast infection, and herpes definitely cannot explain the other symptoms you describe.
I agree exactly with your doc's comments about your responsible approaches to sexuality. A choice to be sexually active in today's world carries some risk of STD, regardless of all common sense precautions. But those risks are low in people with your lifestyle and attitudes and so far, so good; you can be sure all is well.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
There are no STDs that cause the symptoms you describe. The only testable STD you weren't checked for is genital herpes. The first herpes infection can mimic yeast infection, so if there was any question about that diagnosis, you might want to be tested. However, if positive, it won't necessarily mean it caused the apparent yeast infection, and herpes definitely cannot explain the other symptoms you describe.
I agree exactly with your doc's comments about your responsible approaches to sexuality. A choice to be sexually active in today's world carries some risk of STD, regardless of all common sense precautions. But those risks are low in people with your lifestyle and attitudes and so far, so good; you can be sure all is well.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
