Treatments and strategies for prevention

Unlike bacteria, viruses cannot be destroyed with antibiotics, and there is currently no medical cure to eliminate an HPV infection. Treatment depends on the type of HPV infection and in the case of cervical cancer the stage of development.

Genital warts

Trying to remove the visible warts does not always eliminate HPV and genital warts can reappear. Chemical treatment methods can be painful, embarrassing and may cause scarring. Two powerful chemicals (podophyllin and trichloroacetic acid) are capable of destroying external genital warts with direct application, but this must be repeated several times. A new product, imiquimod cream, is now available and has had some success at stimulating the immune system to fight the virus.

Depending on the size, number of warts and where they are located other methods for removal of external warts include:

• Cryotherapy (damaged cells are killed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen);
• Electrosurgery (passing an electric current through abnormal cells);
• Laser therapy (’super heats’ and vaporizes abnormal cells).

Cervical Cancer

Early-stage cervical cancer can usually be treated successfully. Options at this stage can include LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure — the removal of tissue using a hot wire loop), laser therapy, or cryotherapy. If the cancer has invaded deeper layers of the cervix and has spread to the uterus, more extensive treatment may be involved such as a radical hysterectomy with lymph node removal. Side effects associated with this procedure include: inability to control urination, sexual problems, psychological stress, and swelling in the legs.