In an interview on the Cuentas Claras radio program, the president of the Dominican Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr, Ruddy Rafael Guerrero said that recent studies have shown that 25% of women who attend gynecological consultations have the Human Papiloma virus (HPV), which is incurable and potentially carcinogenic. Most were adolescents who have started having sexual relations early.

Guerrero said that the problem is more serious as many of the men and women infected were completely unaware. However, many others were having examinations before getting married or starting intimate relations to avoid becoming infected.

He said that infected women who are pregnant would have to deliver by C-section so that the newborn would not be contaminated during the birth.

He said that the HPV virus is the main cause of cervical cancer in women, and is usually detected in women who go for a Pap smear. In men it was detected when they were treated for surgical removal of warts from their private parts.

He advised the public to be faithful to their partners, use condoms and carry out frequent checks of their intimate parts.

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