Communicable Disease Paper

Communicable Disease Paper

Dwan Chatman

HCS/457

December 8, 2010

Marcus De Vose

Communicable Disease Paper

Communicable diseases are impacting the United States at a steady rate and local regulatory agencies are working to ensure the health and safety of Americans. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a communicable disease on the rise. This paper will provide the reader with a description of HPV and efforts to control its spread. Environmental factors, influences of the disease on lifestyle choices, socioeconomic status, and disease management are examined along with gaps in research and resources available to the public. Last, this paper will conclude with statistical data from HPV reports, recommendations to expand community programs and the public health departments’ role in reducing the threat of this disease on the public.

Description of Disease and Efforts to Control

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a collection of viruses that infect the skin in the genital area. Researchers at the CDC found more than 100 types of HPV. HPV can affect both men and women and classifies as a sexually transmitted disease (CDC, 2010). Some types of HPV can cause growth like warts on hands, feet, and genital area. Women can even have these growths on their cervix (ASHA, 2010). Many individuals can carry HPV without showing any symptoms. This factor contributes to the 30 types of sexually transmitted HPV cases (ASHA, 2010).

Human Papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted disease and infects 75% of the American population (ASHA, 2010). In the genital area HPV can result in abnormal cell changes on a woman’s’ cervix (ASHA, 2010). Human Papillomavirus can go undetected for many years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are proactive and aggressive in its efforts to prevent and control the disease. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of vaccinations for this disease. Gardasil and Cervarix are...