The cure for genital warts is only an assumption as subclinical HPV infection may remain undetected for years only to appear as clinical lesions later on even after apparently effective treatment of the condyloma accuminata.
How to Cure Genital Warts?
Genital warts and perianal warts have high recurrence rates and hence require multiple treatments to affect a clinical cure. The choice of treatment depends upon the site, type, patient preference, cost and physician experience. The earlier the treatment, the less frequent will be the recurrence.
There is a wide choice of therapies available to affect a clinical cure for the genital warts.
- Treatment of genital warts includes patient applied podofilox and imiquimod and dermatologist administered cryotherapy, chemical and electric cauteries, laser removal and surgical excision followed by imiquimod applications.
- None of the treatments are superior to others in efficacy or in preventing recurrences. On the mucosal surfaces, though, cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen is preferred as it is less damaging to the surrounding tissues.
- If after six treatments, the warts are still returning, an alternate treatment modality has to be adopted for the anogenital warts.
How are Genital Warts Treated in Pregnancy?
Warts in the anogenital area increase in number and size during pregnancy. A combination of hormonal changes, increased vascularity and reduced immunity may be the reason for this anomaly. Cryotherapy and trichlor acetic acid applications are preferred modes of treatment of genital warts in pregnancy.
Podophyllin, podofilox and imiquimod should not be used to treat ano-genital warts in pregnancy. Because of the danger of laryngeal papilloma, at times lethal in infants, some obstetricians prefer caesarian section to deliver babies in women with condyloma acuminata.
What are the Complications of Ano-Genital Warts?
The biggest complication of ano-genital warts is their recurrences and sexual mode of transmission. Other complications are:
- cancer transformation, especially in the ano-genital mucosal surfaces
- Ulceration, secondary infection and bleeding on touch are common complications of fleshy condyloma accuminata.
- Genital warts appearing in the opening of the urethral opening in males can cause obstruction to the urine flow. Over-enthusiastic treatment with cryo, electro- or chemical cauteries may produce scarring and contraction of the urethral opening in such cases.
- Transmission of the HPV infection during normal vaginal delivery may cause life threatening growths in the throats of newborns and infants.
- Giant condyloma can grow into foul-smelling, cauliflower-like growths and destroy the surrounding tissues.
How to Prevent Genital Wart Recurrences?
Some authorities believe that early treatment could prevent recurrences of HPV infections, though this is debatable as subclinical infection may be present for many months before the genital warts make their external appearance. Modification of sexual behavior plays a major role in preventing transmission of HPV infections. Reducing the number of partners, adhering to safe and natural sexual practices all help in preventing transmission and recurrence of genital warts and other sexually transmitted diseases.
After successful treatment with cryotherapy and electro surgery, two to three weeks’ application (thrice weekly) of imiquimod may help get rid of subclinical HPV infection and play a major role in limiting recurrence rates in ano-genital warts.
Can HPV Infection be Prevented?
HPV vaccines are available as a preventive measure against genital warts and subclinical HPV infections. Girls in the age group of 11-12 years and women in the age group of 13-26 years are the target group for such vaccines.
Clinical studies have proven that HPV infection and the chance of acquiring genital cancers could be prevented with these vaccines to a great extent. As the number of cervical cancers is quite high compared to male genital malignancies, the HPV vaccines are only advocated for females at present.
How to Cure Genital Warts and Prevent HPV Recurrences : Related Articles
- Clinical Types of Ano-Genital Warts: Different Manifestations of HPV Infections
- Ano-genital Warts: Transmission, Risk and Diagnosis of HPV Infections
- External Genital Wart Treatment with Imiquimod
- Treatment Options for Anogenital Warts
References:
- Usman N. Anogenital Warts in Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS. Ed.Sharma VK, Viva Books, New Delhi, 2003
- Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, Fifth Ed, 2005
Disclaimer
The information given in this article is for educational purposes only so that patients are aware of the options available. No diagnosis should be made or treatment undertaken without first consulting your doctor. If you do so, Dr.Hanish Babu, MD or Suite101 will not be responsible for any consequences. The images provided are for illustration purposes only.
Hanish Babu - Dr.Hanish Babu, MD is a dermatologist and a feature writer on Suite101.com with more than 200 articles related to skin diseases on the ...
Join the Conversation