A client diagnosed with HPV infection says 'I'm not concerned, I know the warts disappear after a while.' The nurse should counsel the client regarding which of the following?

• A. Link Between HPV and Cervical Cancer.
• B. Status of HPV Infection as a Reportable Disease.
• C. Need to Eliminate the Warts.
• D. Serious Complications of HPV Infection for Men.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that HPV infection can continue to pose a risk for cervical cancer even when genital warts disappear. Warts may go away on their own, but the virus can persist in cervical cells and, over time, high‑risk HPV types can cause precancerous changes that may lead to cancer if not detected and managed. Therefore, counseling should emphasize the connection between persistent HPV infection and cervical cancer and stress the importance of regular cervical cancer screening (such as Pap tests with or without HPV testing, based on guidelines) and vaccination to prevent infection with high‑risk types. This helps the client understand that the absence of warts does not mean the infection is gone or the cancer risk is eliminated. If helpful, you can also note that HPV is sexually transmitted and can be spread even without visible warts, reinforcing the value of vaccination and safe practices.