Are genital warts contagious?
introduction
Venereal diseases such as Genital warts, often a taboo subject in our society. "Are genital warts contagious?" Or "How do I protect myself from genital warts?" Are therefore often unanswered but urgent questions for many people affected.
Basically, genital warts, also called genital warts or condylomata accuminata, are a sexually transmitted disease (STD: sexually transmitted disease). In many cases, unprotected traffic therefore leads to the infection and transmission of the disease.
In principle, close physical contact, e.g. shared bathing or shared use of contaminated objects, e.g. Towels, lead to infection with genital warts.
If an expectant mother suffers from genital warts, there is also the possibility of transmission to the child during birth.
Read more on this topic on our main page Genital warts
Contagion after removal
Genital warts are caused by so-called human papillomaviruses (HPV for short). To date, the complete elimination of the virus is not possible, so that one distance the genital warts no 100% cure guarantee can offer.
Because even if the unsightly skin symptoms have been removed through personal treatment or medical therapy, HPV viruses can remain. Regardless of the treatment method chosen, experts estimate that genital warts can recur in around 20-70% of cases within 6 months.
Since the pathogens are already active before there is a visible skin appearance, those affected can infect their sexual partners unnoticed even after removal! Although Condoms only partially protect against infection with genital warts, since the entire genital area is not covered, they should nevertheless be used for at least 6 weeks after removal the genital warts are used.
Furthermore, it makes sense to have regular medical check-ups. In this way, therapeutic measures can be taken in good time if the genital warts appear again.
Contagion possibilities
In the pool
The main route of infection for genital warts is unprotected traffic. Outside of the human body, however, the HPV viruses only survive for a very limited time, so that infection in swimming pools is very unlikely. Only with very close and direct body contact in the water, such as showering or bathing together, is there a realistic risk of transmission.
Fortunately, the notion of "floating viruses" moving from person to person has not been proven. As a rule, you can therefore enjoy a visit to the swimming pool without any worries. In addition, the water in swimming pools contains chemical additives such as Chlorine and thus prevents the spread of pathogens.
On the toilet
Many people fear that they could contract sexually transmitted diseases, such as genital warts, from sharing the toilet. As with the swimming pool: HPV viruses can only survive outside the human body for a very short time and are therefore only transmitted outside of sexual intercourse in exceptional cases. If a few simple hygiene measures are observed, the risk can be further reduced.
As simple as it sounds, wash your hands carefully with soap and running water after each use of the toilet. Because viruses could have gotten to your hands and the next time you touch them, e.g. transferred to the doorknob. In the worst case, they could end up in the hands of another person and then smeared into the genital area.
You should also avoid direct contact with the toilet seat, as the viruses can also be passed on by smear infection. To be completely safe, disinfecting the toilet can be helpful.
Contagion of the partner
Many genital warts sufferers are ashamed of their condition and do not dare to tell their partner about it. This can create a dangerous vicious circle and infection of the partner is inevitable.
To prevent this, you should deal with your illness as openly as possible and find out as much as possible about potential risks of infection.
Even if you do not currently suffer from genital warts, one a few weeks ago distance you should tell your partner about it. Because especially the unnoticed infection of pregnant women can have consequences for the child.
When you have told your partner about your illness, the most important step has already been taken. In order to plan the further time, it is important to know that Do not protect condoms one hundred percent from infection. Although they reduce the risk, mere skin contact with infected regions is sufficient.
Let your doctor advise you on possible strategies for dealing with genital warts and partnership. Regular Check-ups, also of the partner, can provide security and guarantee a timely start of therapy.
Contagion without sexual intercourse
Are genital warts contagious? Yes absolutely! Are genital warts contagious without intercourse? No, not in principle! Put simply, the virus is not “made” for an environment outside the human body. The small virus particles can only be transmitted directly during sexual intercourse.
One explanation for the common assumption that genital warts are transmitted without intercourse could be the long “incubation period” of the HPV viruses that cause them. The incubation period is the period between infection, with the pathogen and the appearance of the first symptoms. In this case, the incubation period is at least four weeks, but in many cases more than months. It is possible that those affected have intercourse with an infected person unnoticed. Three months later, the diagnosis of "genital warts" is made - supposedly without any connection with sexual activity.
To prevent such infections, there has been a special "HPV vaccination" for young girls in Germany for several years. First and foremost, the vaccination should protect against cervical cancer, which is also caused by HPV viruses. At the same time, however, it prevents the development of genital warts, which in some cases can degenerate into the described cervical cancer.
I.Find out all about the topic here: The viral wart.
