Genital warts

[maximushoney]

Hi doctor,
I am worried I could have contacted genital warts on the tip of my penis after an encounter with a prostitute over 2 years ago? I am in a monogamous relationship for last 12 years but I made a stupid drunken mistake 2 year ago. At the time I had protected sex with a prostitute. I have seen a specialist and shown him my lumps and after putting acid on my penis he said he is not sure if they are warts or not. Do you think it is possible for the warts to show up this far after my encounter and also doctor is it possible to get warts (on the tip and shaft) of my penis whilst wearing a condom? I am really worried as I don't want to infect my girlfriend? Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
If the dermatologist has stated that it is not wart then chances are less likely that it is a wart. Unfortunately there are not many methods to detect warts and physical examination is the best method. In 90% of cases, the body’s immune system clears HPV naturally within two years.  But, sometimes, HPV infections are not cleared and can have HPV even if years have passed since he or she had sexual contact with an infected person. So it can show up even two years after the sexual encounter.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[maximushoney]

Hi dr, since I was last in correspondence with you  I have seen a third specialist (1/5/12). She looked at area and immediately applied liquid nitrogen. She then said it could be a small wart but after 30 seconds she said its not a wart and stopped. Now two days later the lump is bigger than ever and looks more like a wart than ever before. Could you please help in telling me would this be a natural reaction to a wart or to the application of liquid nitrogen. Also do you think it's safe to have sex now that the third specialist also said its not a wart or should I wait and see if the area or lump gets bigger? Also is it possible to get a wart on the penis when it is covered by a condom and wat are the chances of it showing up two years after my stupid encounter. Please help doctor as my mind is all over the place and I can't concentrate on anything else. Thanking you in advance. Regards

[maximushoney]

Hi thank you for replying. I seen an std specialist last Thursday and he confirmed that the spots on the shaft are just sabaceous cysts. However he was unsure what the lump on the tip of my penis,near the glands, but said he was happy enough that it was not a wart. Do you think I should leave it at this and try forget about it or do you think I should get a second opinion or see a dermalogist? Thanks for your help!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
There is currently no FDA-approved test to detect HPV in men. Genital warts can be diagnosed through visual examination of the penis and surrounding areas.

Diagnosis of genital warts is usually clinical, made by visual inspection. Genital warts can be confirmed by biopsy but Sometimes we can use an enhancing technique called acetowhitening. This technique involves the application of 5% acetic acid solution to the area of suspicion for about 5-10 minutes. Infected areas will turn white.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.