Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Treatment and Care

Can I be treated for HPV or health problems caused by HPV?

There is no treatment for the virus itself. However, there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause:

1. Genital warts can be treated by your healthcare provider or with prescription medication. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number.
2. Cervical precancer can be treated. Women who get routine Pap tests and follow up as needed can identify problems before cancer develops. Prevention is always better than treatment. For more information visit www.cancer.org .
3. Other HPV-related cancers are also more treatable when diagnosed and treated early. For more information visit www.cancer.org

Treatment Guidelines and Updates

• 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines (June 4, 2015)
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection
  • Anogenital Warts
  • HPV-Associated Cancers and Precancers
• Use of 9-Valent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: Updated HPV Vaccination Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices MMWR March 27, 2015
• HPV Vaccine Now Recommended for Boys and Young Men - CDC Expert Commentary featuring Eileen F. Dunne, MD, MPH (March 19, 2012)

Resources for Clinicians

• Use of a 2-Dose Schedule for Human Papillomavirus Vaccination — Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices  MMWR December 16, 2016
• Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescent Girls, 2007–2012, and Postlicensure Vaccine Safety Monitoring, 2006–2013 — United States MMWR July 26, 2013
• HPV 2013 Public Health Grand Rounds – Overview of HPV incidence and vaccination measures to reduce burden in the U.S. - View Recording (February 19, 2013)
  • MMWR on Reducing the Burden of HPV-Associated Cancer and Disease MMWR January 31, 2014