HIV- infected women should not smoke, as it can increase risk of papillomavirus, says a new study

During this study, about 1797 HIV infected women and 496 uninfected women were surveyed. In these women, smoking and HPV status was observed at six months interval. It was done from the year 1994 to 1998.

Researchers did the survey to check the smoking status among these women through interviews, and HPV status through HPV DNA testing. They also took into account their age, T cell subset concentrations, anti-HIV drug usage, HIV RNA levels, oral contraceptive use, and their sexual activity.

The results of this investigation showed that women who had HIV infection were 3.9 times more at risk for HPV infection than those women who had no HIV infection. This was regardless of their smoking status.

When researchers took smoking into account among these women, a rise in HPV infection was found among HIV-infected women. They were about 3.13 times more likely to have this infection.

The conclusion arrived at through this study stated that smoking significantly increases the risk of HPV among HIV-infected women. It also underscores the importance of smoking cessation among women for their good health.

Smoking cessation is quite possible in these present times, as there are many effective quit smoking aids available in the market. Champix is one anti-smoking drug that has shown successful results in helping smokers easily quit the habit of smoking however, it should not be taken without the consulting a registered medical doctor.

Champix can have some undesirable side effects however, in most of the cases it has helped reduce nicotine addiction and withdrawal symptoms among smokers quite successfully, when taken under proper medical care.