[Question #11773] HPV with Genital Warts

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12 months ago
I just had genital warts frozen via cryotherapy. After they fall off and are no longer visible, how much lower are the chances of transmitting HPV 6/11 (the strains that cause genital warts)? If I end up transmitting to a future female partner, would their annual OBGYN checkup tests be looking for these strains (HPV 6 or 11) or would it not show up since if those tests are looking for the move severe strains?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
12 months ago
Welcome to our forum. Thank you for your questions. I’ll be glad to comment.

After visible genital warts have been treated and fallen off, if they do not recur in the next three months, the chances of them occurring become very, very low. In addition, and because visible lesions are no longer present, the chances of transmitting infection to others is also quite low. 

Should a future female partner be diagnosed with HPV routine HPV typing includes looking for types 6 and 11, which caused over 95% of genital warts. Incidentally these same HPV strains are also covered by the HPV vaccine, which is recommended for virtually all women and most men.  It may be worthwhile to ask future partners if they have been vaccinated because if they have then there is virtually no risk of transmission.

I hope this information is helpful to you. If there additional questions or any part of my answer is unclear, please don’t hesitate to use your up to to follow ups for clarification. EWH.
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