How long can a man have Genital Warts without showing Symptoms?
Thursday, September 17th, 2009 at
4:42 am
My g/f recently contracted genital warts. We have been dating for 9 months now , she showed symptoms to months ago , but i have never shown or seen symptoms, would i have shown some type of symptom by now if I have given it to her, but if its vice versa and she has given them to me , how long will it take for me to contract it?
Filed under: Wart Symptoms
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In regular speak:
You could have had genital warts and given them to your girlfriend, or she could have them and given them to you. There is no way to ever know. You can have the virus that causes genital warts (HPV – Human Papillomavirus) and spread it around, even if you don’t have symptoms. If you do develop symptoms they can appear any time after you are infected. They can appear weeks or months later, even years. Most cases of genital warts that do show symptoms stop flaring up within 2-3 years after infection, although the virus can remain in your body for the rest of your life. You should do regular exams to see if you develop warts so that you can have them treated right away (much easier and less painful that way).
Do not worry. Many, many people get HPV. There are over 100 different types of HPV, and some cause genital warts, others cause cervical cancer (but this is easily treated before the cell changes become cancer as long as women have regular Pap tests). FYI – the virus strains that cause warts are not the same as those that cause cervical (and penile, anus, etc) cancer.
Some new research is showing that the immune system MAY play a role in supressing symptoms of HPV (warts and abnormal cell changes that lead to cancer). So, it can’t hurt anything to try and keep your immune system healthy.
Another tidbit of info, the virus is spread through skin to skin contact as well, so please be careful, and know that even if you wear a condom the virus can still be spread.
Most men who get HPV (of any type) never develop any symptoms or health problems. But some types of HPV can cause genital warts. Other types can cause penile cancer or anal cancer1. The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types that can cause penile or anal cancer.
Males get genital warts for the same reasons that women get them. Genital warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). When males get genital warts the most likely areas to be affected are the urethra, penis, scrotum and rectal area. The warts often appear as a soft, raised area that can be smooth or rough. Genital warts in males can be difficult to detect because they may be covered with pubic hairs.
HPV is transmitted through direct physical contact during sexual activity. The virus is not found in or spread by bodily fluids. Condom use may decrease the risk of transmission of HPV during intimate contact but it will not completely prevent the risk infection. Spermicides and hormonal birth control methods cannot prevent the spread of the HPV infection.
Go to this website(http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm) for more helpful info. Hope this helps. Good Luck!!!!
Within a few weeks after infection, you should be able to see warts begin to appear on the external genitalia and in the urethra. The warts vary in number (one to several), color (gray to red), and texture (moist and soft to hard and dry), depending upon where they develop.
Because this virus can be serious, it’s best if you make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. The professional diagnosis involves clinical examination of the warts and can be treated in a number of ways (topical medication [most common], acid, or surgery)