My New Boyfriend Just Told Me He'd Had Genital Warts

Posted on Sun, 26 Jan 2020

Question: My new boyfriend just told me he'd had genital warts caused by hpv a few years ago, now cleared up. We have not had sex. Internet research is conflicting on how easily its spread. I know intercourse is still risky as the virus stays, even using condoms. My question is about the oral hpv forms. If he's had no obvious oral symptoms, would I still be at risk when kissing him or with him performing oral sex on me (not me on him). Is he likely carrying the oral form too if he's had oral sex with others? Is the genital wart hpv one that causes other wart types too, on hands etc? Should I worry about him touching me sexually with his hands? If he has no active warts, is me touching him sexually with my hands risky? I'm just not sure quite how cautious I should be, because I don't want to end our relationship right now, but I want to be safe.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Details below

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to ask a doctor service
I have gone through your query and understand your concern.
If he doesn’t have any warts in the oral cavity there are almost no chances of you getting warts on kissing and having oral sex.
The strains of HPV virus causing genital warts and warts on other body parts are different. It is unlikely that a person with genital warts will develop warts on other body parts.
I don’t think he will having oral forms if he never developed warts in the oral cavity.
If he is free from lesions there is no problem in either of the two touching each other sexually.
I don’t think you have to worry about it as he is already free from active infection.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng