Are Genital Warts Contagious After Treatment?

Posted on Mon, 23 Nov 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 Answered on

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been answered that after my genital warts are removed I will more than likely fight off the HPV and be rid of it. Should I still be worried about being contagious with my partner? If she happens to have HPV already (she is getting tested), would it be the exact strand of HPV that I have?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can resume sex with your wife 3-4 months after successful treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.

Following the treatment and after complete disappearance of the warts, wait for 3-4 months. If you don't have any recurrence, you can resume sex with your wife without any hesitation. It is unlikely to be transmitted to your wife afterwards.
In case if your wife already had the lesions (depends upon how long you had the warts and your sexual activity with your wife), it is unnecessary to research whether it had come from you or it is different strains from elsewhere. Appropriate treatment will help her to become free from HPV infection.
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar