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 Tokelo,
Its not possible to say if your warts will go away permanently if you were to resume treatment. However, if you want to control your HIV will need to be on medication. This is important if your CD4 count is running down. Do you think you’re ready to restart?
I have been on medication of HIV 2015 to 2016
And I stopped taking the medication for a year now because of my Cd4 is running down I have diagnosed with warts,so I want to know if I start with my medication will they go away permanently
Hi Jack,
Though frustrating, for some people their CD4 count won’t rise as much as they’d like it too. As to why this happens its not possible to say. However if you were diagnosed with a low CD4 count this may explain it. How’s your viral load?
I’ve been on a regimen now for approximately 14 years but my cd4 count is always up and down from 140 to 240… it’s only been up to 300 once since I was infected. What’s my problem? I want to feel better
Hi Jon,
Please talk to a doctor about the wart that you have on your fingers. Its unlikely to do anything related to HIV.
I have what I think is a wart between my thumb and finger. It is rough and has grown quickly
It is very painful.
I was diagnosed with hiv in January this year and have been on meds since then
Should I be concerned or is this nothing to worry about ?
Hi Anita,
There are numerous treatment options for genital warts, some of which are discussed in the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/genital-warts/
hi im 24 and positive and I have genital warts. I went to the clinic but the nurse told me they don’t have a cure for warts. What can I do?
Hi Tman, it is good you are now on HIV meds – as this will improve your immune system that might reduce the warts in the future. Even with several treatments, warts can take longer than a month to disappear and this doesn’t always work for everyone. Where on your body are the warts? IF the cream doesn’t work, the doctor might be able to freeze them,
I have been on medication for a month but anal warts not going away been using aldara cream for a month’s also sometimes they are painful