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Can Genital Warts Spread To Other Parts Of The Body Through Touch?
Question: Hi Doctor,
I was recently diagnosed with Genital warts from my dermatologist. She froze them off and asked that I return in a couple of weeks. I'm drawn back by all of this as I didn't expect this to happen to me and I have allot of questions and concerns.
How easily can I spread the warts to other parts of my body? For example; if I use the restroom and my hand touches the wart then I rub my eye or itch my leg.
Because I have genital warts am I prone to getting other disease and infections easier than others without warts?
Am I at a higher risk of developing cancer related to HPV in the future ?
Is there any thing else I should know about this STI to make my life easier ?
Are there any complications other than getting the warts itself ?
Thank you
I was recently diagnosed with Genital warts from my dermatologist. She froze them off and asked that I return in a couple of weeks. I'm drawn back by all of this as I didn't expect this to happen to me and I have allot of questions and concerns.
How easily can I spread the warts to other parts of my body? For example; if I use the restroom and my hand touches the wart then I rub my eye or itch my leg.
Because I have genital warts am I prone to getting other disease and infections easier than others without warts?
Am I at a higher risk of developing cancer related to HPV in the future ?
Is there any thing else I should know about this STI to make my life easier ?
Are there any complications other than getting the warts itself ?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Regarding genital warts
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Genital warts are commonly caused by specific HPV types e.g., type 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33. Theses HPV types are usually restricted to the genital mucosa and neighboring genital skin although they may rarely cause warts elsewhere. Though rare but transmission may be aided by hands e.g these same HPV types may cause warts in the oral mucosa although at this site they are usually acquired through oral sex. Warts on the face, legs, hands are usually caused by other HPV types.
Genital warts are an STD and therefore you must screen for other STDs e.g: HSV, syphilis, HIV etc., as well as simultaneous transmission of multiple STDs which is quite common.
Though having warts does not predispose you to infections from future sexual contacts as compared to those who do not have warts. Certain HPV types e.g: 16, 18, 31, 33, are carcinogenic and can cause transformation to cancer, however, more than 90% of genital warts are caused by non carcinogenic HPV types 6, 11.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S.
Dermatologist
Regarding genital warts
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Genital warts are commonly caused by specific HPV types e.g., type 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33. Theses HPV types are usually restricted to the genital mucosa and neighboring genital skin although they may rarely cause warts elsewhere. Though rare but transmission may be aided by hands e.g these same HPV types may cause warts in the oral mucosa although at this site they are usually acquired through oral sex. Warts on the face, legs, hands are usually caused by other HPV types.
Genital warts are an STD and therefore you must screen for other STDs e.g: HSV, syphilis, HIV etc., as well as simultaneous transmission of multiple STDs which is quite common.
Though having warts does not predispose you to infections from future sexual contacts as compared to those who do not have warts. Certain HPV types e.g: 16, 18, 31, 33, are carcinogenic and can cause transformation to cancer, however, more than 90% of genital warts are caused by non carcinogenic HPV types 6, 11.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S.
Dermatologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My girlfriend has had her HPV vaccination shots but we have been having unprotected sex. What is the change of her contracting it?
Also, if I take immune system supplements can that help fight prevent from future warts showing up?
How long can it take for cancer related HPV viruses to show up?
Also, if I take immune system supplements can that help fight prevent from future warts showing up?
How long can it take for cancer related HPV viruses to show up?
Brief Answer:
Regarding genital HPV warts
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
HPV vaccine is protective against HPV type 6,11,16,18 which are the most common HPV types responsible for genital warts.
You may first go for HPV typing test. As I told you HPV type 6,11 are the most common cause of genital warts (90%) and they are non- carcinogenic. Only if you are infected with HPV type 16,18 you need to worry about cancer but even then transformation to cancer is rare and takes decades.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S.
Dermatologist
Regarding genital HPV warts
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
HPV vaccine is protective against HPV type 6,11,16,18 which are the most common HPV types responsible for genital warts.
You may first go for HPV typing test. As I told you HPV type 6,11 are the most common cause of genital warts (90%) and they are non- carcinogenic. Only if you are infected with HPV type 16,18 you need to worry about cancer but even then transformation to cancer is rare and takes decades.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S.
Dermatologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Another question. I had them frozen off which are
Located on the shaft of my penis. Should I cover them up with bandaids since freezing them off causes them to turn into blisters? I wouldn't want them to burst while I'm working out or not knowing it and have them spread.
Also, because I have genital warts, does that mean they will come back for the rest of my life ?
Located on the shaft of my penis. Should I cover them up with bandaids since freezing them off causes them to turn into blisters? I wouldn't want them to burst while I'm working out or not knowing it and have them spread.
Also, because I have genital warts, does that mean they will come back for the rest of my life ?
Brief Answer:
Regarding genital warts
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The process of freezing destroys the warts immediately. The blister is just part of the tissue healing response. You may use a topical antibiotic cream e.g T Bact cream. It is not necessary to cover the treated area.
Usually, HPV infection is ultimately taken care of by the body's own immunity and most of the patients are free of HPV infection after 1-2 years. This process of getting rid of HPV is hastened by medical and/or surgical treatment of any visible warts e.g cryotherapy or cautery.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S., Dermatologist
Regarding genital warts
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The process of freezing destroys the warts immediately. The blister is just part of the tissue healing response. You may use a topical antibiotic cream e.g T Bact cream. It is not necessary to cover the treated area.
Usually, HPV infection is ultimately taken care of by the body's own immunity and most of the patients are free of HPV infection after 1-2 years. This process of getting rid of HPV is hastened by medical and/or surgical treatment of any visible warts e.g cryotherapy or cautery.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S., Dermatologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Can I spread my own genital warts to my face or other parts of body? For example; if I use the restroom and I touch my wart with my hand then touch my face, or if I use a towel to dry off my body after taking a shower that touched the wart then it touches my face?
Also, can I masturbate after the warts have been frozen even if I use a condom ?
Also, can I masturbate after the warts have been frozen even if I use a condom ?
Brief Answer:
Regarding genital HPV infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Since your warts have already been frozen now so the risk of autoinoculation is negligible. You must wash your hands regularly to reduce this risk even further. Also get your clothes, especially undergarments and towels, laundry daily. Anyways genital HPV types (6,11, 16,18) rarely cause common warts. Common warts are usually caused by other HPV types (1,2,4,7 etc).
Yes, I don't see any problem with masturbation.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S.
Dermatologist
Regarding genital HPV infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Since your warts have already been frozen now so the risk of autoinoculation is negligible. You must wash your hands regularly to reduce this risk even further. Also get your clothes, especially undergarments and towels, laundry daily. Anyways genital HPV types (6,11, 16,18) rarely cause common warts. Common warts are usually caused by other HPV types (1,2,4,7 etc).
Yes, I don't see any problem with masturbation.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S.
Dermatologist
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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