Genital Warts and Surgery

Dear Ask The Doctor: Well me and my girlfriend have sex constantly her ex gave her genital warts and she had surgry to get them removed am i able to catch this even tho she had the surgry

Dear Jeremy: Genital Warts and caused by a the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Surgery may be recommended if the warts do not respond to medical treatment, are widespread or the patient is pregnant.

In 50% of HPV cases treated with surgery, the warts return.

Furthermore, the HPV virus is transmittable even when the warts are not visibly present.

To answer your questions - YES - you are at risk of acquiring genital warts and should practice safe sex in all your relationships to reduce your likelihood of acquiring them.