What is a common treatment for genital warts caused by HPV?

Genital warts, which are caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), are commonly treated with topical therapies and procedures that target the warts directly. Imiquimod is a topical immunomodulator that helps the immune system to fight off the virus, promoting the clearance of warts. Cryotherapy involves freezing the warts with liquid nitrogen, which destroys the affected tissue. Both of these methods are effective in reducing and sometimes eliminating the visible warts.

Other treatments for genital warts may include laser therapy or surgical options for larger or extensive warts, but these are not the first line of treatment and are often reserved for cases that do not respond to topical treatments or cryotherapy. Oral antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like HPV, and daily vaccinations, while preventive, do not treat existing warts. Therefore, using topical treatments or cryotherapy aligns with the current clinical approach to managing genital warts caused by HPV.