Question
How to remove genital warts?
1 July 2009. Related: All topics.
Will having genital warts affect my viral load and CD4? Also if the condition is severe then how are they removed? How long does it take to be free from them?
Answer
It is unlikely that HPV (human papillomavirus – the virus that causes genital warts) will have any significant effect on your viral load or CD4 count. However, with a low CD4 count, the genital warts will be more difficult to treat, and have a higher chance of returning after treatment.
Treatment of the warts can vary from case to case, and needs to be done by a doctor. In less severe cases, your doctor may decide to prescribe a cream that you will have to apply on your own at home. This is more rare though.
Treatment options consist of: burning them, freezing them, acid (trichloroacetic acid), different ointments, ie podophyllin, podofilox or imiquimod, and surgical removal. In very severe cases, some doctors use alpha interferon.
It usually takes several consecutive treatments to remove all the genital warts. Their removal does not mean a cure from HPV.
As the procedure is unpleasant and sometimes painful, it is good to talk to your doctor and get some painkillers for after these procedures.
Hi Sandiswa,
First, yes, the warts can be transmitted sexually.
However, did you have a check for STIs when your boyfriend had one? If not, it’s important that you see the doctor and ask for a sexual health check.
It’s good to hear you’re on second line treatment and that it’s working just fine. But you can talk to your doctor about whether you still need treatment for the warts. And what HIV meds are you on now?
Please let us know your viral load and CD4 count results.
Hi i am HIV positive and i started the treatment and stop taking it and last year i fell pregnant and obviously had to take the treatment but when i was 4 months the warts grew in my virgina and i had unprotected sex with my boyfriend and later he noticed that he had STI (drop was a sign) he treated that and i suspected that he slept with someone but he is denying it but we did it again and the same thing happened… So my question is does the warts has infection that can be transmitted sexually? and at that time the first line treatment resisted me and i had to be moved to second line treatment that is now working just fine because my viral load is very low now and the warts are slowly getting smaller, so my other question is do i still need the treatment for them or were they causef by the high viral load?
Hi Gadi,
Is your son HIV positive? This is provided for people who are HIV positive and their friends and family.
However, it’s important to let the doctor see the warts for a diagnosis.
My 1yr old son has warts on his testicles