Question

Fifteen-year-old Dolores was embarrassed to talk with her mother about the pain she felt in her “private parts,” but she was worried she might have gotten a disease, despite Nick’s assurance that she was his “first.” Her mother insisted that Dolores see a doctor, who discovered cervical lesions caused by a virus associated with cancer. What sexually transmitted virus is involved? How should the physician treat the lesions? How could Dolores have protected herself?

Answer 1

ANSWERS:

a) The sexually transmitted virus involved in the given case might be HPV (Human Papilloma Virus).

b) The noninvasive epithelial lesions can be traated by the physician by any of the measures given below:

• Cryotherapy - affected tissue is freezed with a super-cooled probe to induce necrosis.
• Laser therapy - ablation of tissue is done with a carbon dioxide laser beam.
• Loop electrosurgical excision procedures - an electrically charged wire is used to excise the affected area.

c) Dolores could have protected herself by practising safe sex i.e, by use of physical barriers such as condoms during the time of sex.