Once Treated

[Robart]

I have been treated for 5 small genital warts. I had them frozen off and was instructed to apply Aldara to the frozen spots as well, is this necessary. It has been 3 weeks and the warts have dissappeared, however I am going back to the doctor next week to ensure that I am clean.

I am currently in a new monogamous relationship and my partner is not infected.

Is there a test I can take to ensure that the infection/virus has been eliminated?

Will I ever be able to have oral sex or natural unprotected sex without the fear of infecting my partner?

I have read all over the internet that it is contagious for life & then I read that once the infection is eliminated you are no longer contagious...what is the answer here?

If my new partner is not at risk then I would rather not discuss the subject.

Thank you for answering them separately.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

There is no test to see whether the wart virus has been eliminated.  It is not possible to say for sure.  However, if the warts have been eradicated as far as you can see, there isn't anything else to do.  My advice is to tell any prospective partner that you used to have warts but that they were treated and aren't there anymore.  That's true of tens of millions of other people in this country.  It's a good idea in general to use condoms, at least until you're sure you're going to be in a long term relationship, but there's no clear evidence that condoms prevent spread of the wart virus.  Basically, you do what you can do, and then move on.  There's no other choice.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff