still infectious?

[bobkar]

I contracted genital warts 30 years ago. Is it likely that I am still contagious?

[aquamarine_moon]

Ok - genital warts is NOT herpes.  It is not caused by the herpes virus.  The information above is incorrect.

Genital warts are caused by the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) and there are many different strains.  The vast majority of strains do not cause warts and people are unaware that they have the virus.  In fact, by the time women are sexually active for a number of years, nearly 70 percent of them have had a strain of HPV.  HPV is one of the causes for cervical cancer.  That is why pap (Papiloma) screens are done and why the new vaccine for HPV (Gardasil) is only available to girls under 25 (because it is assumed that all women over 25 will have been exposed) - and that many men are carriers.
Another intersting factoid - condoms do not protect against the spread of HPV in most cases (which is why almost everyone has had a strain at one time or another).

If you are one of the unlucky few to get a strain that causes a breakout of warts, you do still carry the virus.  However, if it was 30 years ago and you have never had another breakout, I wouldn't worry about it.  Even if you have - get them treated and move on.  Don't have intercourse during a breakout - other than that, be happy!  The strain that causes warts is a strain that DOESN'T cause cancer! :)

[dream282008]

yes u are still contagious unless u take medication but it doesnt get rid of it, it just goes into remission which means most likely u will not pass it to someone else but its not 100 percent positive that u wont there is still a chance u could pass it even in remission.genital warts is herpes and herpes never goes away. u will have it the rest of ur life.