DEAR DR. DONOHUE: After my checkup, the doctor told me I have human papillomavirus infection but that it has caused only minor changes so I should not worry. I do worry. I am so ashamed because I am older and have been without sex for 25 years because I was helping my sick husband. Is there any way I can get rid of this? Please help me not to worry. He is going to check me often for this. – W.

ANSWER: HPV, human papillomavirus, is the virus family that causes warts (both genital and ordinary warts), and some strains of the virus cause cancer of the cervix. There are more than 100 members of the HPV family. About 13 strains are implicated as causes of cervical cancer, but two strains, numbers 16 and 18, are responsible for most cancer.

You have no reason for shame. Fifty percent of sexually active people become infected with this virus at some time in their lives. About 6.2 million people in the United States are infected with it annually.

Your worry is understandable but not warranted. Ninety percent of infected women are spontaneously cured of their infection within two years.

Your Pap smear showed low-grade changes. Such changes don’t usually lead to cancer. All the doctor needs to do is recheck you to see if those changes revert to normal, as they usually do.

The booklet on cervical cancer and Pap smears can help women better understand these two important topics. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue, No. 1102, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 85 and had both knees replaced about 10 years ago. My doctor has me take amoxicillin before dental procedures. Recently the dentist scheduled me for removal of an abscessed tooth. I took amoxicillin for three days before the procedure. The procedure had to be cancelled. Shortly thereafter, I got thrush.

Four weeks later the tooth was pulled, and I went through the amoxicillin routine again. Shortly after, I got shingles. How can I face dental work again without having these problems from the drug? – E.W.

ANSWER: Talk this over with your dentist. It used to be standard practice to have a patient with an artificial joint take an antibiotic before any dental procedure that released mouth bacteria into the blood. This was done to prevent infection of the artificial joint. Amoxicillin was the most frequently chosen antibiotic. Now most doctors don’t prescribe antibiotics before dental procedures except in unusual circumstances. They still tell patients who have had the joint replaced within two years to take antibiotics. You don’t fit into that category.

Thrush is a mouth infection with the yeast Candida. It can develop after taking any antibiotic, because the antibiotic kills off good mouth bacteria that keep the yeast from undergoing a population explosion.

I can’t see how amoxicillin was related to your coming down with shingles. It might have been the stress from having your tooth pulled that caused the shingles eruption. I don’t mean psychological stress; I mean stress to the body from dental surgery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am writing about high liver enzymes. I had gallbladder surgery, and the doctor took a liver biopsy during the surgery. No cancer was found. I also have had a CT scan of the liver and an ultrasound of it. Nothing was found. Will you please explain something about liver enzymes? – B.W.

ANSWER: Every body cell has enzymes. They are proteins that keep body chemistry perking at top speed. If an organ or tissue is damaged, it releases enzymes into the blood. A rise in enzymes, therefore, is a clue that something has gone wrong with the organ that has released its enzymes.

You feel well. You have had a scan and ultrasound of your liver, and nothing bad was found. You had a liver biopsy, the ultimate test. Nothing bad was seen on the biopsy. Your enzyme level might be on the high side, but not so high that any significant harm is occurring in your liver. Time most likely will resolve the enzyme elevation.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com