War On Warts

Lisa has had HPV for 2 months, and has not yet had any treatment.   She has asked:

“How are they spread, and can they lay dormant. If so, for how long?”

Thank you Lisa for this great, and very important question!

HPV is spread from direct contact.  Skin on skin.  Most often this is related to a sexual encounter, but need not always be.  Because HPV can occur anywhere on the skin, condoms do not provide full protection.

It is true that HPV can lay dormant.  Sometimes for decades.  In this case, you would be a carrier of the virus.  That is to say, the virus would be in your cells – but not ‘expressing themselves’.  It is still possible to transmit HPV during this stage.
Hope this helps, and we hope that you GET TREATMENT.  The sooner the better.  HPV treated early is a simple matter.  Left untreated puts you at risk for develping HPV induced cancer.

A new product called Veregen (sinecatechins) 15% ointment is now available for the treatment of warts. Sinecatechins are an extract from Green Tea, that cleared almost 90% of anogenital warts in clinical studies.

The medication is only approved for treatment of external genital and perianal warts, and is not without side effects.  One out of five patients experience erythema, pruritus, burning, pain/discomfort, erosion/ulceration, edema, induration or a vesicular rash.  The medication is also going to be expensive, and likely not covered by many insurance plans.

Anal warts are caused by the human papilloma virus, which is usually transmitted through sexual contact but not necessarily through anal intercourse. The same type of warts may occur on the penis, scrotum, vagina or labia. It is important to recognize and treat anal warts if you have them, as the risk of developing cancer is high.  The time from exposure to the virus and growth of the warts is commonly from one to six months, but it can be longer. During that time the virus remains in the tissues but is inactive. There are many types of human papilloma virus; some cause warts on the hands and feet and others cause genital and anal warts.

Tags: Anal Warts, anogenital warts