How to Kill the Genital Wart Virus

Genital warts are one of the most common venereal diseases. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and can cause cervical cancer. About 30% go away without treatment. The underlying virus is never fully eradicated, however, even after treatment. The only known way to kill it is to have been vaccinated beforehand, and even then, the vaccine does not cover all variants of HPV. The vaccine available does protect against the two strains that cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.

Instructions

• 1

  See your doctor about genital warts, since over-the-counter medications aren't intended for the genital areas where the warts appear.

• 2

  Get ointment treatment applied directly to the warts. Imiquimod (Aldara) boosts the immune system's ability to fight the warts. Don't have sex while it is on your skin, due to irritation. Podophyllin must be applied by the doctor. Podofilox has the same active ingredient but you can apply it yourself. Trichloroacetic acid burns the warts off chemically. It must be applied by the doctor.

• 3

  Consider surgery if you are pregnant, or the warts don't respond to medication. The options include using frozen nitrogen, electric current, a laser or a knife to freeze, burn, or cut the warts off (using anesthesia).