There is no cure for human papillomavirus (HPV) but most people with HPV infections do not require treatment because the body rids itself of the virus on its own. Less than 1 percent of patients with HPV infection develop problems, such as genital warts, according to the National Women’s Health Resource Center.

There are several treatments available for genital warts caused by HPV infection. Among factors that are considered in the treatment of genital warts include:

• Size and location of warts
• Number of warts
• Patient preference
• Treatment cost
• Convenience
• Adverse side effects

The goal of treatment is usually to remove unsightly warts and alleviate bothersome symptoms.

Some treatments are administered by patients at home and others are performed in a physician’s office. Several creams and gels are available by prescription. These are applied by the patient and are safe and easy to use. There are two different types of topical treatments:

• Antimitotic agents (drugs that inhibit cell growth by stopping cell division). This gel or solution is applied to the wart. It works by destroying the skin of the wart.
  
  
• Biological response modifier. This cream is used for treatment of external genital warts and perianal warts (warts occurring in or around the anus). It stimulates the immune system to fight off the warts.

Over-the-counter medications to treat common warts found on hands and feet should not be used to treat genital warts.

Procedures performed in a physician’s office to treat genital warts include:

• Cryotherapy. During this procedure, the wart is frozen with liquid nitrogen. Freezing causes a blister to form around the wart. Then, dead tissue sloughs off in about a week. This procedure causes minimal pain and must be performed by a physician. Cryotherapy performed on the cervix can cause a profuse watery discharge for approximately one month following the procedure.
  
  
• Chemicals and acids. There are several chemicals and acids that are applied to the surface of the wart by a physician. The chemical or acid causes a blister to form which lifts the wart off the skin so the physician can remove it. The chemical or acid does not usually cause pain, but some pain may be experienced from the resulting blister.
  
  
• Electrocautery (burning off warts with an electrical current). Genital warts are removed by burning them with a low-voltage electrified probe. This is performed in a physician’s office with local anesthesia.
  
  
• Minor surgery to remove warts. This involves cutting away the genital wart. This is performed in a physician’s office with local anesthesia.
  
  
• Laser surgery (using an intense light to destroy warts). This is typically used to remove larger or more extensive genital warts, particularly those that have not responded to other treatments. This is performed in a physician’s office with local anesthesia.
  
  
• Interferon. A human protein known to stimulate the immune system and fight viruses is injected directly into the wart. Though it is as effective as other treatments, it is chosen less frequently because of the inconvenient method of administration, frequent office visits and incidence of side effects.

Although in many cases the immune system rids the body of HPV, the virus can travel to the lower level of tissue where it remains. This can cause genital warts to come back. It is recommended that patients watch for recurrences, which most frequently occur during the first three months after treatment.

HPV is a common and manageable condition. However, living with the condition can be distressing and inconvenient. The period after diagnosis may be an especially emotional time, with many people experiencing feelings of shame and fear. As a result, people with HPV may benefit from seeking counseling or attending a support group.