What are the treatment options for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection?
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Riverside Women's Health answered:Although there is currently no medical cure for human papillomavirus infection, the lesions and warts these viruses cause can be treated. Methods commonly used to treat lesions include cryosurgery (freezing that destroys tissue), LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure, the removal of tissue using a hot wire loop), and conventional surgery.
Similar treatments may be used for external genital warts. In addition, some drugs may be used to treat external genital warts. More information about treatment for genital warts can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines Web page.
This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.
Although there is currently no medical cure for human papillomavirus infection, the lesions and warts these viruses cause can be treated. Methods commonly used to treat lesions include cryosurgery (freezing that destroys tissue), LEEP (loop... More -
Dr. Jill Grimes answered:Multiple treatments exist, and type of treatment depends on location, number, and size of warts, as well as physician and patient preference.
Treatments performed by providers:
- cryotherapy: freezing with liquid nitrogen; treatments
repeated every one to two weeks until warts have resolved - TCA or BCA: acids that chemically burn the warts; dries to a white crust; can be repeated every one to two weeks until warts are resolved.
- Podophyllin: applied to wart and often washed off 1 to 4 hours later; not for pregnant women
- laser: usually for extensive warts, intraurethral warts, or those resistant to other therapy
- surgery: treatment is usually complete in one visit; higher risk of scarring
Treatments applied by patients (should be discussed with physician first):
- Podoflox: applied with swab twice daily for 3 days, then 4 days without treatment; cycle may be repeated up to 4 cycles - Ideally, physician should perform first application to confirm warts and safety of this method.
- Imiquod: applied at bedtime 3 nights per week for up to 16 weeks; washed off 6 to 10 hours later
Multiple treatments exist, and type of treatment depends on location, number, and size of warts, as well as physician and patient preference. Treatments performed by providers: cryotherapy: freezing with liquid nitrogen; treatmentsrepeated every... More - cryotherapy: freezing with liquid nitrogen; treatments
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Dr. Diane Harper answered:There is no medicine or cure for human papillomavirus (HPV). We treat cells that have changed because of the HPV infection with freezing or excision. This treatment removes the dangerous tissue, but it does not cure you of HPV.
No virus is curable, but there are ways to successfully treat skins cells that have been affected by human papillomavirus (HPV), according to HPV expert Dr. Diane Harper. Watch the video to learn more.
There is no medicine or cure for human papillomavirus (HPV). We treat cells that have changed because of the HPV infection with freezing or excision. This treatment removes the dangerous tissue, but it does not cure you of HPV. No virus is... More
