Management options for genital warts

Dear Ask The Doctor: HI I HAVE CHEATED ON MY 11YEAR PARTNER FOR THE 1ST TIME A 4 DAYS AGO AND I REGRET IT ALOT. NOW I HAVE FOUND OUT THE MAN I SLEPT WITH HAS HAD GENITAL WARTS ABOUT A YEAR AGO BUT HAD THEM TREATED NOW IV WORRRIED MY PARTNER WILL FIND OUT. CAN I CATCH GENITAL WARTS OFF SOMEONE WHO USED TO HAVE THEM ? AND IF I CAN WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT SO I DONT HAVE TO TELL MY PARTNER HE IS ALREADY NOTICING I WONT HAVE SEX WITH HIM I NEED HELP FAST PLEASE HELP.

The cause of genital warts is Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This virus is contained in the superficial skin cells, hence the disease can be transmitted through direct skin contact (since superficial skin cells are easily shed). Different types of this virus can cause common benign genital warts but there are a few types that can cause penile CA and cervical CA. Use of male condoms is not very effective (since this only covers the shaft of the penis; if the wart is located anywhere else in the genital area, it can still be transmitted).  The incubation period (time interval between exposure to an infectious disease and the appearance of the first signs or symptoms) usually ranges from 3-4 months, however, it can still present as late as 2 years from the exposure. However, some individuals are asymptomatic (individuals who have no symptoms or warts but are continually shedding the virus).  There are different kinds of treatment for genital warts (e.g. laser therapy, cryosurgery  - exposure of skin to extreme cold to eliminate abnormal cells or, in this case, cells w/ HPV; excision of wart, etc.). However, it has been observed that all kinds of treatment for HPV can have failure or recurrence. So there is a possibility that if the treatment he had was not effective, or it was initially effective but recurred and he is currently asymptomatic, you may be infected but it has not shown signs and symptoms yet.  The best thing for you to do right now: have a Pap test done and also ask your physician (or OB-GYN) about the HPV vaccine and the HPV blood test. The HPV vaccine can protect you from cervical cancer. Only 3 shots are needed for lifetime protection. By the way, you have not mentioned if the intercourse was protected or not. If it was unprotected, I would also suggest tests for other sexually transmitted infections (e.g. HIV, syphilis, herpes, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, etc) since most of these also have asymptomatic states. I hope this helps.