HPV Treatment Regimens for Genital Warts
Removal is the Primary Focus
The primary focus of treating vaginal warts is their removal
and in the majority of cases treatment can achieve this goal. It is possible that vaginal warts will resolve
themselves with time. They may remain
unchanged or conversely, they may multiply and spread. HPV infection is not eliminated with
treatment, although it can possibly be reduced in its strength. There are many variables.
Developing Treatments
There are a few factors to consider when developing a
treatment for a person with HPV vaginal warts.
The preference of the patient, availability of resources and the
experience of the medical professional are all considerations. There is no available evidence to suggest
that one method of treatment is superior to any of the others and there is no
single treatment that is right for all patients. Locally developed and monitored treatment
algorithms are connected with better clinical outcomes and are encouraged. Overall, HPV patients require a regimen or
course of therapy rather than a single treatment and the treatment should be
changed if the personal has not improved within a three month period.
Rarely do complications occur but there are commonly cases
of change in pigmentation with some treatments.
Scarring is not common, but can occur and in occasional cases, there can
be pain and discomfort. The treatments
can be either patient-applied or provider-applied with the bulk of cream and
topical applications being done by the patient.
Topicals
Podofilox solution can be applied to the infected area by
the person infected in a specific cycle indicated by the health care
professional. Imiquimod cream can also
be applied by the individual however a health care provider will administer
cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, podophyllin resin or trichloracetic acid (TCA
or bichloroacetic acid (BCA). Surgical removal
can only be done by a medical professional.
Surgery and Topicals
Cervical warts require that a high-grade SIL must be
excluded before treatment is initiated.
A specialist should be consulted for management of this type of HPV wart
situation. Vaginal warts can be treated
with a regimen of cryotherapy or TCA or BCA.
Urethral meatus warts are treated with cryotherapy or podophyllin compound. Anal warts are also treated with cryotherapy
or TCA or BCA or they can be surgically removed. A specialist should be consulted in cases
where warts are on the rectal or anal mucosa.
Counseling
Another vital and necessary part of the treatment program is
the education and counseling of people with HPV genital warts. It is important to convey that genital HPV
infection is quite common amongst sexually active adults and that it is usually
sexually transmitted. Genital warts are
caused by specific types of HPV infection which are different from the types
that cause cervical or other types of cancers.
It is common for genital warts to recur after treatment.
Follow-Up
A follow-up evaluation is helpful for people with HPV
genital warts. While the warts may
disappear without treatment or be dealt with during treatment, the HPV virus
remains in the body and warts may occur again at another time.