Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Causes Genital Warts?
I recently noticed a tiny bump that looked similiar to an in-grown hair on my genitals and had a blood test done covering the most common STDs and it came back positive for genital warts. I have been with my partner for 7 years and we have both been faithful for all 7 years. My partner was a virgin when we met, and I had one other partner that was also a virgin. Is it possible to be dormant for 7 years? And also are there forms of warts that are on hands or inanimate objects that can transfer to genitals? Can virgins have HPV? I also had the same test done about 4 months ago and came back negative on all, is there a possibilty to be a false positive on my test?
Mon, 16 Feb 2015
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
Genital warts is an STD and is acquired by close contact with an infected sexual partner.
Certainly virgins cannot have genital warts.
Most of the genital warts are caused by certain HPV types i.e type 6, 11, 16, and 18.
Certain types of Hpv types cause warts at certain anatomic sites but almost any Hpv type may cause a wart anywhere.
Therefore it is unlikely that a genital Hpv types would cause a wart elsewhere, but it is possible!
Genital warts can remain dormant for months or years but most of the infected patients naturally get rid of the infection within an year or two and it is not common for an infection to persist for 7 long years.
Warts can transmit by either direct or indirect route i.e hands, inanimate objects can transfer the infection.
Test for detection of warts are based on detection of viral DNA and are therefore highly sensitive though there is a small chance that they could produce a false positive result.
Regards
Genital warts is an STD and is acquired by close contact with an infected sexual partner.
Certainly virgins cannot have genital warts.
Most of the genital warts are caused by certain HPV types i.e type 6, 11, 16, and 18.
Certain types of Hpv types cause warts at certain anatomic sites but almost any Hpv type may cause a wart anywhere.
Therefore it is unlikely that a genital Hpv types would cause a wart elsewhere, but it is possible!
Genital warts can remain dormant for months or years but most of the infected patients naturally get rid of the infection within an year or two and it is not common for an infection to persist for 7 long years.
Warts can transmit by either direct or indirect route i.e hands, inanimate objects can transfer the infection.
Test for detection of warts are based on detection of viral DNA and are therefore highly sensitive though there is a small chance that they could produce a false positive result.
Regards
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Papillomavirus
Loading Online Doctors....