How do you get genital warts?

Genital warts are usually contracted by having sex with a person who has human papilloma virus (HPV). Even just close genital contact is enough to spread the condition. In rare cases both adults and children are infected indirectly, for instance through the use of an infected towel. Babies can also be infected during delivery.

If you have sexual intercourse with someone with the HPV there is a 2 in 3 chance you have contracted the virus. If you have unfortunately contracted the virus then there is a 50% change you will develop genital warts. There are about 80 types of HPV and depending on which strain you catch will determine if you develop genital warts.

Once a person contracts the HPV virus a quiet period of months to years can occur.
Sometimes several years pass without any symptoms. However even without showing any symptoms it still leaves a healthy partner vulnerable to becoming infected during sexual activity.