Transmission of HPV and HSV

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have visible genital warts and I do not want to infect my partner. Is there any rule of thumb for when I can have sex with him without risking him contracting the virus?

The cause of genital warts is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This virus is contained in the superficial skin cells, hence the disease can be transmitted through direct skin to skin contact (superficial skin cells are easily shed). Different types of this virus can cause common genital warts but there are a few types that can cause penile CA and cervical CA. 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. I apologize for being the bad news bearer but there is no assurance that your partner cannot contract the virus from you. However, there is an HPV vaccine which can protect you and your partner from cervical cancer and common genital warts. Only 3 shots are needed for lifetime protection. Bear in mind that Gardasil (HPV vaccine) has 4 strains only: the 2 most common strains that can cause cervical cancer and the 2 most common strains that causes genital warts. There are less common strains that still cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Giving this vaccine in males has started to gain popularity as well.  I also saw in your profile that you had a previous Herpes infection. If it was genital herpes, it will be wise to ask your doctor about this because you may need blood tests to determine if you are seropositive to the herpes virus (quantitative measure of infectivity), therefore, there is also the potential of transmitting Herpes to your partner. Antivirals may be needed for those who are seropositive. More importantly, this virus is famous for staying in nerves once a person gets infected, meaning, it can be reactivated and signs and symptoms manifest again, or have asymptomatic states, meaning, a person can have no signs and symptoms but actually harbours, and is continually shedding the virus. Prevention is always better than cure. I do hope this helps.