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Odds of Warts

Sorry if this has been answered before.  I didn't see it in the few dozen postings I reviewed.  What are the odds of getting warts if condoms are used correctly?  Thanks
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Avatar universal
Thanks again.  Very helpful.  
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Most wart virus (HPV types 6 and 11) infections cause overt, visible warts, and warts are low risk if a partner doesn't have visible warts.  But this isn't foolproof, and it is possible to catch warts from a partner who isn't aware s/he is infected, often because of warts in hard-to-see spots, especially in women.

Genital warts are an inconvenience, not usually a serious health risk.  But if you want to reduce your anxieties about it, talk to your provider about being immunized with Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, which in women is 100% effective in prevention infection with HPV-6 and -11, as well as the two types (16 and 18) that cause 70% of genital cancers.  Gardasil isn't yet approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in males but probably will prove equally effective as in women.  However, because it isn't yet FDA approved, it won't be covered by most health insurance policies and you can expect to pay around $500 for both the vaccine and your provider's clinic costs.
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Avatar universal
In the last sentence of your response ("significant possibility"), does this include when the partner has no visible warts?

Your help is greatly appreciated!
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
By chance, this question was addressed just a couple of days ago.  You probably missed this thread:  http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/665887.

However, that thread doesn't completely answer your question.  The odds someone will catch genital warts from any particular exposure depends on whether or not his or her partner has HPV; if so, what HPV type (90% of warts are caused by HPV type 6 or 11); and condom use.  If you have had a single episode of sex with a partner whose HPV status is not known, that's one thing -- and in that case, the odds of catching warts (with or without a condom) are low.  If it was a partner known to have genital warts, then there is a signficant possibility (several percent chance, at least) even if a condom was used.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD
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