How did I get infected?

Dear Counsellor:

I am curious to know how a person gets HPV or genital warts. I was recently told that I am infected with the disease. I am very worried because I just cannot tell how I got infected.

Worried girlfriend

Dear Worried Girlfriend:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital warts are usually spread by direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has this infection. Warts on other parts of the body, such as the hands, are caused by different types of HPV. Contact with these warts does not seem to cause genital warts. Genital warts may appear within several weeks, months, or may never appear after sex with an infected person. This makes it hard to know exactly when or from whom you got the virus.

For more information on condom use, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, call the AIDS/STD Helpline at 967-3830, 967-3764 or toll free at 1888-9914444.