What Are The Chances Of HPV Transmission After Protected Intercourse?

Posted on Fri, 5 Dec 2014

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

Fri, 5 Dec 2014 Answered on

Mon, 22 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I had sex with a prostitue wearing a condom 17 weeks ago. I have been tested for all std's that you can test for and have had negative results for all. Now I am concerned of HPV. My questions are:
What is the chance I was infected with HPV from one exposure wearing a condom?
It has been 17 weeks/4 months and I have no symptoms. Would warts or shown up yet? How long does it takes warts to show up?
I have not had sex with my wife since bc I am terrified to infect her. When can I start having sex with my wife?
I am obsessed with checking for warts and am terrified I will have them and lose my wife. Thanks for your answers.

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely to have warts.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
The chances of HPV infection by single intercourse is very rare.Repeated exposure can enhances the transmission. There needs to be an active infection which is unlikely. Moreover protected intercourse reduces chances further and makes chances almost nil.Though skin to skin contact is possible it is unlikely by single intercourse.
Hpv has an average incubation period of 3 months.
So if at all you were infected it should have manifested by now.
So you are most unlikely to transmit it to your wife.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereologist

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

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (20 minutes later)

Thank you for the quick reply. The intercourse was no longer than 15 minutes and was protected the whole time. As I said it has already been 4 months. Have you seen cases where warts appear after 4 months? I have read on the Internet it takes 6-8 months to show. Would you estimate my chance from this one exposure is less than 1%? Sorry. I am having trouble moving on because of my worries. Thanks again

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes less than 1% chances.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
The chances I would rate would be less than 1%.
Moreover Warts strains are low risk strains and you need not worry about it.
I have not seen cases with similar history of getting warts.
So you can relax and forget the episode.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

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