HPV hand transmission by holding hands

[shane76]

Hi, I am very worried about this and need some help.  I had a sex toy used on me awhile back, and I believe I have gotten an anal wart near the top of my butt crack.  It is small but feels kinda cauliflower shaped.  I have a tendency to touch it a lot to see if it is still there.  I just went on vacation to the beach with my family, and was in contact with my 3yr old niece.  When I first saw her I held hands with her, to walk her across the parking lot. That day I had touched the wart previous times without washing my hands.  I am real worried about this, and wonder if I should tell my sister her kid may have come in contact with HPV. Then I feel if i do tell her she might not want me around her kid again if it it wasnt transmitted. Could you please give me some advice and info on this.  It is driving me crazy to think I might of given this to my niece.
thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcoe to the STD forum.

First, "I believe I have...an anal wart" doesn't mean much.  You need professional assessment.  There are plenty of causes of anal area bumps other than warts.

Second, the genital HPV types are not spread by hand to hand contact.  Even if you do have an anal wart or other genital-area HPV infection, there is no risk of transmission to your neice or anyone else, except of course your sex partner(s).  You should not mention your concern about HPV to your sister.  That would only alarm her unnecessarily, and probably embarrass you.  Just let it lie.  But see a health care provider about the bump.

Regards--  HHH, MD

[shane76]

thank you very much for your insight