Question
Will my warts disappear now I am taking HIV treatment?
14 April 2011. Related: All topics, Complications and coinfections, Starting treatment.
I had genital warts four years ago and the treatment (a cream) was really successful. The warts then reappeared last summer (with no reappearance in the meantime) but this time I had cryo which worked just as well. A few months ago the warts came back again and I was also diagnosed with HIV, having probably had HIV for a few years (as my dr says). I am now on meds and was wondering whether the warts will disappear now I am on HIV treatment? I read that warts are common with those infected with HIV.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Once you have warts two things can happen. Sometimes your body can clear the warts naturally and in doing this develop protection against the particular strain of virus that caused the warts. Sometimes though the virus is just suppressed and remains latent (sleeping) in the body.
If the virus is just suppressed then warts only usually reappear when you are run down or your immune system is low. This is why they can be a problem in HIV-positive people with a low CD4 count. It is common for these to resolve after starting treatment as your CD4 count increases.
Now that you are on HIV treatment you may find that once they are treated they remain latent. You may also find that on occasions they come back which might happen whether you are HIV-positive or not. This is nothing to worry about and does not mean your treatment is failing or that your immune system is weak. If warts come back report this to your doctor for treatment.
Warts are caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and there are over 100 different strains of HPV, many of which have no symptoms, and some of which cause warts. HPV is an extremely common viral infection and only a small percentage of people are at risk of HPV-related serious illnesses. However a PAP smear can identify cells that may be early signs of abnormalities. You should discuss with your doctor whether you would benefit from a Pap smear (depending on your age and medical history), either now or as part of your future care.
For more information about genital warts please see this link.
For a medical review of HPV and HIV is at this link.
Hi Faith, I am sorry that you have been having this problem for so long. Your HIV meds are working really well to give you good health but they are not responsible for the warts. Eventually, they might disappear or reduce over time, especially if you continue treatment. Having repeat treatment might make it longer each time before they come back. Unfortunately, these treatments don’t always work for everyone.
I’ve been having genital warts since 2010 when I started my Arv treatment,the warts does not go away,I even went to hospital to burn them but they came back,but my CD 1050,my viral load is lower than detectable limit.but still da warts doesn’t dissapear.what do I do?
Hi Nono,
Please see your doctor about this. They should be able to give you some medication.
I am hiv positive and I have warts for over months now, I started treatment a month ago and the warts dont seems to heal, what can I use to clear them
Hi Nobulumko,
Your sister should go and see her doctor, or if possible a gynecologist. They will be able to help her.
My sister have warts and she is HIV positive she has started with her treatment 1 month back and she is taking her med, but now she is struggling with the warts her vagina lips have a big bump and she complains that she is deep pain and there is some sort of discharge coming out which is brownish looking like blood but light. She is very uncomfortable because she can not stand for a long time as her work requires to and when she sits for long she could feel the discharge coming out and it irritates her and when she touches her genital they are very very soft, What can she do please help
Hi Sushi,
Your warts hurting won’t be connected to the meds. Therefore, you should speak to a doctor about this.
I’ve just started using Atroiza. i have warts. They never used to hurt. Now they do.
Hi Zibusisozethu,
To know if you CD4 has dropped you will need to have it checked. This is because the warts could be due to numerous things.
Is there any reason why you haven’t started medication yet?
I was diagnosed last year, I still haven’t started treatment. I have discovered that I have warts, does it mean that my CD4 is low?