Condom article important, but some facts incorrect

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I commend you for publishing The Daily Orange’s editorial in the April 5 issue of The Breeze on the George W. Bush administration’s right-wing agenda that underlies his call for warning labels on condoms regarding human papilloma virus; however, the article contained incorrect information that should be addressed. First, HPV does not cause genital herpes as the article suggests. Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. HPV causes genital warts, which may or may not manifest itself physically on the body — anywhere on the body, not just the pubic area. Additionally, the statement "the transmission of HPV is lessened when an individual has no other sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV or chlamydia" is misleading. While it is true that people living with HIV also often are diagnosed with HPV, there is no casual relation between the two. The fact is that a person diagnosed with HPV can — and likely will — transmit the virus regardless of the existence/non-existence of other STDs. Anyone diagnosed with HPV or any STD must exercise caution and honesty when engaging in a sexual relationship with a partner. The point of the editorial — that a conservative agenda of abstinence underlies Bush’s request to alter the warnings on condom packages — is well-warranted, but it becomes lost given the lack of accurate information. In the end, lack of access to accurate information can be just as detrimental as lack of access to condoms or emergency contraceptive pills.

Cynthia Martin
Writing program instructor