The invention relates to the treating, inhibiting or preventing of certain infectious agents including papilloma virus and various vaginitis-causing microbes by employing cellulose sulfate and other sulfated polysaccharides. In one embodiment, the method involves preventing, inhibiting or treating fungal infections. Corresponding methods of use in manufacturing a medicament as well as use in preventing and inhibiting various infectious agents as well as malignant lesions are disclosed. In another embodiment, use of a sulfated polysaccharide in preventing, inhibiting or treating a parasitic infection is disclosed.