is there any way to get genital warts w/o sexual contact?

[barb11]

Is there any way to get genital warts without sexual contact -- for example, by using public restrooms or going in a public pool?

[getSTDtested Administrator]

No, genital warts can only be spread through such skin-to-skin contact as occurs during oral, vaginal, manual, or anal sex. Additionally, if a pregnant woman has genital warts, she can pass the virus that causes these warts on to her baby if she delivers vaginally. Also, keep in mind that if your partner is infected but has no symptoms or is not experiencing a breakout, he or she can still spread the virus. Furthermore, even if you have the virus and never have a breakout of genital warts, it can still lead to cervical cancer and even infertility.

[Huzzah!]

HPV is really common, and most sexually active people have it at some point in their lives. There are many different types; some can cause genital warts while others are linked with cervical cancer. HPV is usually harmless, without visible symptoms, and most often will be cleared naturally by the immune system. Cancer is a rare outcome of HPV infection, but it's important for women to have regular Paps.