Regardless of gender, most individuals experience significant anxiety upon testing positive for an HPV infection. They worry not only about transmission but also whether high-risk HPV will fail to clear, leading to persistent infection and subsequent cervical lesions (some men similarly worry about penile cancer). Others fear the development of condyloma acuminatum, a type of sexually transmitted disease.

Condyloma acuminatum (genital warts) is a sexually transmitted disease primarily caused by HPV 6 or 11 infections, manifesting as visible cauliflower-like hyperplasia. Standardized treatment is conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, primarily utilizing physical therapies. These include liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, laser therapy, microwave therapy, or combination therapy with the more expensive Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). Adjuvant treatments include topical interferon or imiquimod to inhibit local HPV viral replication and enhance local immunity. In some instances, intramuscular injections of interferon may be administered to help reduce recurrence. Some physicians may prescribe immunomodulators or traditional Chinese medicine as adjunctive therapies. A hallmark of condyloma acuminatum is its high recurrence rate, requiring regular follow-up and immediate treatment upon discovery. Clinical cure is defined as no recurrence for six consecutive months after the complete removal of warts. Consequently, the overall course of treatment is relatively long, leading to higher costs for the patient—often totaling over 10,000 RMB, or even tens of thousands. If a partner is also infected, the costs may double. Patients with condyloma acuminatum face not only financial pressure but significant psychological stress as well.

If a woman is diagnosed with high-risk HPV infection through cervical screening, accompanied by TCT abnormalities, colposcopy abnormalities, or cervical lesions of varying grades, the costs will be higher. In such cases, a dermatologist cannot resolve the issue; a gynecologist is required for management. The specific cost depends on the grade of the lesion and the corresponding treatment method. For instance, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) require surgery and subsequent adjuvant therapy, which naturally incurs higher costs. At this stage, it is essential to seek assistance from a reliable obstetrician-gynecologist at a formal hospital.

The difficulty lies in cases where a woman has an isolated cervical HPV infection or a man has an isolated HPV infection of the prepuce or glans penis, with no other abnormalities found in examinations. What should be done then? Currently, there are no specific targeted medications for isolated cervical HPV infection. Although the vast majority of individuals can clear the HPV virus through their own immune system within 12 to 24 months, many people clearly lack such patience or confidence in their immunity. Consequently, they may seek potentially effective treatments, including topical interferon gel, HPV protein dressings, photodynamic therapy (PDT), or "Red Card" (immunomodulator) drug therapy. Under a doctor's guidance, some may take oral immune-boosting medications, or purchase nutritional supplements and health products on their own; some might even sign up for gym memberships. The common goal is to clear the latent HPV virus as quickly as possible. If all these measures are combined, the total expenditure can be quite substantial. However, one must carefully consider how much of this is necessary and how much is not.

HPV infection is truly difficult to prevent entirely. In addition to sexual contact, other indirect routes may also cause infection in private areas. However, I believe that even if an HPV infection is detected, there is no need for excessive anxiety. With regular follow-ups, appropriate intervention using scientific methods, and patient waiting, there is a high probability of clearing the HPV. After all, the probability of persistent high-risk cervical HPV infection leading to cervical cancer remains very low.

Of course, the above discusses what to do once infected with HPV. Under the premise of not being infected, prevention should be the priority at the appropriate age—specifically, the administration of prophylactic HPV vaccines. Currently, the HPV vaccines available on the market include bivalent, quadrivalent, and nine-valent (9-valent) vaccines, with the 9-valent vaccine being the most popular. Previously, the supply of the 9-valent HPV vaccine was insufficient, but it seems that booking a vaccination is now much easier than before. Therefore, if you can secure an appointment for the 9-valent vaccine and it is financially feasible, you should be vaccinated promptly. This is not to deny the preventive effects of the bivalent and quadrivalent vaccines; from the perspective of preventing cervical cancer, both are viable options, as their efficacy in preventing cervical cancer is excellent. Thus, receiving an HPV vaccination at the appropriate age is of paramount importance.