A 25-year-old single woman comes to the gynecologist's office for a follow-up visit related to her abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. The test revealed that the patient has human papillomavirus (HPV). The patient asks, "What is that? Can you get rid of it?" Your best response is:

Choice A reason: Herpes simplex virus is incorrect because it is not the infection described in the question. It is transmitted through direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes of someone who is infected, usually through oral or genital sex. Symptoms include painful blisters and sores in the mouth or genitals. It does not cause life-threatening infections, but it can increase the risk of other sexually transmitted infections.

Choice B reason: Human papillomavirus is incorrect because it is not the infection described in the question. It is transmitted through direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes of someone who is infected, usually through genital sex. Symptoms include genital warts and cervical cancer. It does not cause life-threatening infections, but it can increase the risk of other cancers.

Choice C reason: Human immunodeficiency virus is correct because it is the infection described in the question. It is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluid of someone who is infected, usually through unprotected sex, sharing needles, or passed from a mother to a baby at birth. Symptoms may take 10 years or more to show. Once they appear, the person is susceptible to life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, or cancer. This condition is also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Choice D reason: Cytomegalovirus is incorrect because it is not the infection described in the question. It is transmitted through direct contact with the saliva, urine, or breast milk of someone who is infected, usually through kissing, sexual contact, or breastfeeding. Symptoms are usually mild or absent in healthy people, but they can be serious in people with weakened immune systems or unborn babies. It does not cause life-threatening infections, but it can cause birth defects, hearing loss, or vision problems.

Choice A reason: Taking the medication between meals will help you avoid becoming constipated is incorrect because it is not the reason why the provider instructed that she take the ferrous sulfate between meals. It is a possible benefit of taking the medication between meals, but it is not the main purpose. Iron supplements can cause constipation, but this can be prevented by drinking plenty of fluids, eating high-fiber foods, and exercising regularly.

Choice B reason: The medication can cause nausea if taken with food is incorrect because it is not the reason why the provider instructed that she take the ferrous sulfate between meals. It is a possible side effect of taking the medication with or without food, but it is not the main reason. Iron supplements can cause nausea, but this can be reduced by taking the medication with a small amount of food, such as crackers, or by taking an antiemetic medication.

Choice C reason: Taking the medication between meals will help you absorb the medication more efficiently is correct because it is the reason why the provider instructed that she take the ferrous sulfate between meals. It is the main purpose of taking the medication between meals, as iron absorption is enhanced when the stomach is empty and the pH is low. Iron supplements can interact with food components, such as calcium, phytates, and tannins, and reduce the amount of iron that is absorbed by the body.

Choice D reason: Taking the medication with food increases the risk of esophagitis is incorrect because it is not the reason why the provider instructed that she take the ferrous sulfate between meals. It is a possible complication of taking the medication without enough water, but it is not the main reason. Iron supplements can cause esophagitis, which is inflammation of the esophagus, if they are not swallowed properly or if they get stuck in the throat. This can be prevented by taking the medication with a full glass of water, sitting upright, and not lying down for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication.