What follow-up care should I provide for patients treated for genital warts to monitor for recurrence?

Follow-up care for patients treated for genital warts should include:

• Reviewing the patient after completion of treatment to assess treatment success and determine if further therapy is needed.
• Changing treatment if there is less than a 50% response by 4–5 weeks (or 8–12 weeks for imiquimod) or if the patient cannot tolerate the current treatment.
• Considering arranging a follow-up appointment approximately 3 months after successful treatment, as this is the period when recurrences are most likely to occur.
• Providing more frequent follow-up for immunocompromised patients due to their higher risk of recurrence.
• Offering written and verbal information about the nature of anogenital warts, treatment expectations, and the possibility of multiple treatment attempts before clearance.
• Advising on condom use and smoking cessation to improve treatment response and reduce recurrence risk.
• Considering referral to sexual health specialists for uncertain diagnosis, recurrent or complicated cases, immunosuppression, pregnancy, or in children.

These follow-up measures help monitor for recurrence and guide ongoing management of genital warts.