Identification of Chronic Condition Affecting Pregnancy
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the chosen chronic condition for this discussion. This is a form of cancer that is caused by the HPV virus. The specific virus is normally sexually transmitted and mostly affects women. In the US, it is the most common STI and accounts for the largest number of STI patients in care homes. This condition affects women, with more than 80% of females having the probability of contracting the virus at some point in their lifetime (OASH, 2020). The virus is spread through anal, oral, and vaginal sex, and most people will not realize that they have the virus because it is mainly asymptomatic and usually heals on its own. However, some HPV varieties can cause genital warts or cervical cancer, a terminal disease that results in death if not diagnosed and managed early enough. Human papillomavirus affects pregnancy in a number of ways but does not affect the chances of pregnancy (OASH, 2020). During pregnancy, HPV infection can cause cervical cell changes, genital warts, blockage of the birth canal due to warts, and health issues in the baby.
Another important fact is that HPV is not curable but heals on its own. However, when it fails to go away, physicians use treatments for genital warts and cervical cell changes that result from the viral infection (OASH, 2020). It is also worth noting that the condition is preventable through vaccination, an important intervention that keeps away cervical and other cancers and genital warts in women.
Macro and/or micronutrients of concern with HPV infection
Given that it is a virus that normally heals on its own, there is no evidence of some macro or micronutrients of concern with HPV infection. Indeed, the most important thing to do to avoid and prevent HPV infection is the proper and regular diagnosis and treatment, use of condoms, reduction in the number of sex partners, having one partner, and abstinence (OASH, 2020). It is unknown if nutrients offer immunity or any other kind of defense against HPV infection and development (Zacharis et al., 2018). Therefore, particular dietary intake is not recommended for pregnant women or those who wish to become pregnant in order to prevent the disorder.
Evidence-based nutrition recommendation for pregnant women with the chronic disease
As previously mentioned, this disease does not have any nutrition of importance, whether micro or macro, to prevent infection during pregnancy. There is no evidence that nutrients can offer immunity or other defenses against HPV infection and development. Therefore, particular dietary intake is not recommended for pregnant women or those who wish to become pregnant in order to prevent the disorder. Nevertheless, it is only advisable that take a balanced diet and include multiple nutrients in all meals to help undergo normal pregnancy, delivery, and lactation.
The role of a registered dietitian or health care professional in providing counseling and awareness to pregnant women with HPV infection
It is not recommended that pregnant women or those who wish to become pregnant think about consuming extra nutrients to avoid the disorder. Even though there are no known nutrients that can help in preventing and managing HPV infection in women, it is important for the practitioners, in this case, to ensure that they inform people about the importance of a balanced diet. Noteworthy, in all infections and diseases, the ability of the body to resist and heal is mainly promoted by the presence of an effective immune system. In turn, an effective immune system is achievable through proper dieting, which means that pregnant women should take the right diet. Therefore, the dietitian or healthcare professional needs to educate the pregnant women to consider this as an important step during the period whether there is HPV infection or not.
References
OASH. (2020). Human papillomavirus. Web.
Zacharis, K., Messini, C. I., Anifandis, G., Koukoulis, G., Satra, M., & Daponte, A. (2018). Human papillomavirus (HPV) and fertilization: A mini-review. Medicina, 54(4), 50. Web.