[Question #11260] Genital Wart

15 months ago

Hi so a few months back I found a very tiny bump on my penis. I recently went to a health clinic and the dr said it looked like a “tiny HPV wart”. I will say the Dr kind of shrugged it off like it was nothing but probably to calm my nerves. I haven’t been sexually active in over 2 years. So it was a bit of a surprise to me. We weren’t certain if I was vaccinated in school so I went ahead and got my first shot and will be starting an ointment soon. I understand the sexual risks and precautions I need to take moving forward. However what about my everyday life? I babysit my nephew and have to change and bathe him. Do I need to wear gloves? Also is it safe to use hand towels and things that other family members/ co-workers may touch? This probably sounds paranoid but I just want to be safe around my nephew, family and friends. Thanks!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

15 months ago

Welcome and thanks for your confidence in our forum.

While it's difficult and dangerous to question a likely experienced doctor's diagnosis, the large majority of genital warts show up with multiple warts, not just one; and from personal experience I can testify how difficult it is to be certain when a skin bump is very small in size. In other words, I have to wonder if the diagnosis is correct: maybe not.

As for your questions that imply worry about nonsexual transmission to your nephew or anyone else, this is not an issue at all. First, although you don't describe your sexual exposures more than 2 years previously, if you've had a reasonably average sex life you probably have had genital HPV, whether or not this bump is a wart. In any case, HPV is never transmitted to household contacts -- only to sex partners. You need not take any precautions at all when baby sitting, bathing or changing your nephew, or for any other family members. This diagnosis, even if correct, should not change your life in any way other than following through on your treatment and vaccination plans.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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15 months ago

This was clear and to the point. Thank you so much. I really appreciate what you guys do. Thanks!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

15 months ago

Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped.---
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