Hand Transmission of Genital Warts

Genital warts are growths or bumps caused by the human papilloma virus (or HPV for short) that appear in the genital area. This virus is very contagious and the normal way of transmitting genital warts from one sexual partner to another is through sexual intercourse whether anal, vaginal or oral. But skin to skin contact can also be a factor and so therefore even the hand transmission of genital warts is possible.

Transmitting genital warts by hand is not as common but it does happen and there are documented medical studies to prove this. Genital warts HPV is a skin to skin contact so it is wise to be aware that even non penetrative sex play can pose a risk to sexual partners.

People often ask if the common warts which you get on your fingers can be transmitted to the genital area and the answer is definitely “no” so there is no need to be concerned with that possibility. The strains of HPV that cause warts on your hands or feet are not the same strains that cause genital warts. The different strains are “site specific”.

The genital warts HPV virus has been found in semen and vaginal secretions and it is thought that the virus is at its most contagious when there are warts present on the genital tissue.

There are several factors that act together to make it difficult to work out exactly how transmission does occur as some of the sites for infections such as the inside of the vagina or the urethra of the penis are not easily inspected for the presence of warts. In addition, genital skin is covered with all sorts of bumps and lumps making it difficult to differentiate small warts from these normal bumps and lumps. Even those infections which are invisible to the naked eye can be contagious so it is very easy to pass on the virus when you have no idea that you have it.

Although most HPV and genital warts transmissions happen with skin to skin contact, some experts believe that HPV can also be transmitted by foreign objects that carry infectious material from one person to another such as sex toys.

How will the transmission of genital warts affect my sexual relationship?

If you have been with your current partner for more than a few weeks when one of you discovers the existence of genital warts, then the other partner has probably already been exposed to the virus and abstaining at this point will mostly likely not help in preventing an outbreak in the other partner. If you are long term partners, then you probably both share the virus and re-infection should not occur.

If you are considering a new partner, there will be a risk of spreading the virus to this new partner as approximately two thirds of people who have sex with a partner with active warts will develop warts themselves. Although using a condom is helpful, it does not provide complete protection because it does not cover the whole genital area. As we have said before, even having genital contact without intercourse can still put partners a risk, since the virus is spread through skin to skin contact and even genital warts hand transmission can happen.

The virus is more easily spread when active warts are present but the virus may still be spread after the warts have healed, especially during the first 6 months after active warts. Condoms should always be used until you have both been tested for other sexually transmitted diseases so that you can then make an informed decision on your way forward.

Wash your hands with soap and hot water after they have been in contact with the genital area so that you lessen the change of genital warts hand transmission.

It is never too late for both sexual partners to change to a healthier lifestyle so that your body and immune system are as strong and healthy as possible. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, including plenty of physical exercise and activity and most importantly replacing stress with laughter and enjoyment.