Microbiology

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 specific sexually transmitted virus is involved?
  • How does the virus cause cancer?
  • How should the physician treat the lesions?
  • How could Dolores have protected herself?