Question: My daughter and her boyfriend were sexually active and did not use condom protection. She contracted the papilloma virus, with lesions on her cervix. She needed conization to remove infected tissue. She has been healthy for a year now. I enclose a list of questions.
- Anonymous
Answer: Your daughter has the most common of all sexually transmitted diseases. Better known perhaps as genital warts, this widespread virus infection is nonetheless serious when you consider its potential development into cervical cancer.
Be calm. Not every female with genital warts ends up with cancer - far from it. But the threat should raise a warning flag for young sexually active people.
I'll answer your questions candidly, as always.
The immediate concern is for regular Pap smears to detect any recurrence or early precancerous signs in cervical cells. In the scheme of things, most consider the tests a minor inconvenience. The virus recurs in a significant percent of patients.
Your daughter can pass on the virus, even if Pap smears are negative. If she remains sexually active, she should use protection.
Your daughter must inform her doctor of her history so that she can be watched for any wart recurrence.
A hopeful note amid this bad news is that most women who have had a papilloma infection do go on to deliver healthy, full-term babies.
Sexual activity per se is not known to cause virus reactivation. And no, your daughter is not at greater risk for hepatitis B, AIDS or other diseases. Her immune system remains intact.
Both of you should put things in perspective. Any risk of cancer is not to be dismissed, but following the simple precautions, your daughter can live a long, healthy life.
For more on Pap tests and cervical cancer, readers can order the Health Letter report on that subject. For a copy send $3 and a self-addressed, stamped (55 cents) No. 10 envelope to: Dr. Donohue - SR108, Box 5539, Riverton, NJ 08077-5539.
Question: I am a 41-year-old woman. I have been treated for recurring ulcer for six years. I have the Helicobacter germ. I was put on antibiotics. How do you explain this treatment for ulcers?
- K.B.
Answer: Many people harbor the Helicobacter bacterium, most without having stomach ulcers.
The organism does, however, become more prevalent with age. Before age 30, about 10 percent harbor it. By age 60, that rises to 60 percent.
Still, for most it causes no trouble.
The bacterium's new importance lies in the fact that it has been found to be a conspirator in some ulcer formation. It does that by burrowing through the stomach's mucus lining, allowing stomach acid to work its will. We have no ready answer as to why it happens to some people and not to others.
Knowledge of the bacterial connection brought antibiotics to the fore as a treatment. It is effective, and I am sure you will find that with it your ulcers will not recur as in the past.
Question: My brother has myeloproliferative disease. His body does not manufacture red blood cells. A friend of his is taking Decadron for the same thing, and it is helping him. It did not help my brother. Other than blood transfusions, what could help?
- W.H.
Answer: I apologize for my brevity here, W.H., but there are seven different myeloproliferative disorders - too many to discuss meaningfully. They all augur something amiss with the bone marrow, where blood cells are made.
Decadron - dexamethasone - sometimes is prescribed for special forms. For other forms, blood transfusions are the only answer.
Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him at P.O. Box 5539, Riverton, NJ 08077-5539.