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HPV TREATMENT INFORMATION

Since having HPV can lead to some serious complications, those who are infected with this virus often wonder how they should treat their condition. The right treatment can depend on the exact strain and how it is affecting the body at the present time.

CRYOTHERAPY

This involves freezing the tissue in order to remove abnormal cells. This is often a preferred method whenever the virus has caused warts on the hands or feet. It can also be used whenever precancerous cells are discovered in the cervix. Liquid nitrogen is commonly used to freeze tissue and kill the harmful HPV virus that is present. It is typically performed as outpatient surgery in the office of a general practitioner or gynecologist.

ELECTRIC CURRENT

An electric current is sometimes used to remove warts on the hands or fingers. It is not recommended for the removal of genital warts. It involves using a strong electrical current to effectively burn away the tissue, thereby eliminating the human pappilomavirus from the affected area. This procedure is normally done under local anesthesia as outpatient surgery. It is moderately painful when used to remove warts from the hands and fingers, but can be extremely painful when the procedure is used to remove plantar warts.

PRESCRIPTION CREAM

This is the preferred method of treatment whenever HPV has resulted in genital warts. Two common prescription creams used to treat genital warts are Podofilox and Imiquimod. These creams are applied daily for anywhere from four to six weeks. These medications are effective at eliminating most cases of genital warts; however, many patients find they are reinfected a short time after successful treatment and must repeat this process again.

SURGERY

Whenever HPV has resulted in cancerous growths on the outside of the body, surgery might be required in order to remove them. This is commonly the case with many types of penile and anal cancers caused by certain strains of HPV. As with all types of cancer, the earlier there is a diagnosis, the better the odds are for success. Those who have growths removed while they are fairly small stand a good chance of fully recovering. Even so, gay or bisexual men may contract these cancers again if their partner is carrying the HPV virus.

EFFECTIVENESS OF TREATMENT

It is impossible to determine how effective any HPV treatment might be. That’s because most methods of treatment are applied only to specific areas of the body. As a result, those who are carrying HPV in their bloodstreams could notice complications at a later date. No treatment method should ever be thought to fully eliminate the virus from a patient’s system, nor will it protect that individual from becoming infected with the virus at a later time.

When it comes to choosing the right treatment for HPV, a number of factors come into play. Those who are suffering from complications related to HPV should discuss all the various treatment options with a medical professional in order to choose the right one for that situation.