Can Warts on Your Boyfriend's Hand Be Transmitted Through Kissing? - Internal Medicine

Dr. Liao Zhongxin reply Internal Medicine

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Dear readers:
Regarding the question of whether kissing and intimate touching can transmit infections, here is the response:
1.
According to the Dermatology Expert Health Network (http://www.drskincare.com.tw/Qa/Detail.aspx?ID=52):
A.
What are viral warts? Viral warts are lesions caused by viral infections, commonly referred to in Taiwanese as "fish scale warts." They are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and can infect through contact with skin or mucous membranes.
Warts can appear in various forms depending on the site of infection; the average incubation period for the virus is about four months.
B.
What are the types of viral warts?
1.
Common warts: These are keratinized hard bumps or rough nodules, often found on fingers, palms, backs of hands, or the edges of nails.
2.
Plantar warts: These lesions protrude from the skin on the soles of the feet and often invade deeper, resembling an iceberg with only a portion visible.
They can be painful and are often confused with corns, requiring evaluation by an experienced dermatologist for accurate diagnosis.
3.
Flat warts: These are small, flat, brownish or flesh-colored spots that do not exhibit the thickened surface typical of other viral warts.
They are commonly found on the face and appear as scattered lesions, which can be mistaken for age spots or small skin tags.
4.
Molluscum contagiosum: This condition primarily affects children and presents as soft, flesh-colored or pink, pearl-like lesions on the face or body.
Some may resemble flesh-colored pimples, with larger lesions having a characteristic central dimple.
Diagnosis can be challenging and is often overlooked by less experienced physicians.
5.
Genital warts: These appear around the genital or anal areas and can gradually enlarge to form cauliflower-like shapes, commonly referred to as "cauliflower warts." They are usually softer and lack excessive keratinization.
C.
How can one become infected with viral warts? Prolonged skin contact with water, such as in swimmers, workers, restaurant employees, market vendors, or individuals with compromised immune systems, increases susceptibility to viral infections.
Viral warts are most commonly transmitted from person to person, but can also spread through contact with contaminated objects such as towels, bathroom facilities, or everyday items.
There is generally a latency period of several months before visible lesions develop.
Genital warts are particularly contagious and require caution.
D.
What treatment is needed for viral warts? Due to their infectious nature, persistent viral warts may increase the risk of developing skin cancer, especially genital warts.
Treatment can be challenging and may take three weeks to three months for effective resolution.
Treatment methods include:
1.
Main treatment – Cryotherapy: Since viral warts are three-dimensional, treatment at -196°C is necessary to completely destroy the virus.
Methods such as scraping, cutting, or trimming cannot effectively treat the deeper parts of the warts.
Cryotherapy may cause mild stinging pain that lasts for a few minutes, and if treating larger areas, the discomfort may be more pronounced.
It is advisable to start with a few shallower lesions to minimize discomfort.
For those with low pain tolerance or experiencing significant pain, oral anti-inflammatory pain medications can be used to alleviate discomfort.
2.
Adjunct treatment – Salicylic acid (wart treatment solution) or topical retinoids to enhance wart metabolism.
3.
New immunomodulators: Viral warts on the face or in children can be more difficult to manage.
It is recommended to use medications like Imiquimod, which can boost the immune system's ability to recognize and eliminate viral warts, although it is currently not covered by health insurance.
From the above information, it is important to identify the type of viral warts present.
The primary concern is genital warts (B.5), as certain strains of HPV can cause genital warts in women, while other types may only cause benign lesions.
It is advisable to consult a nearby sexually transmitted disease clinic for evaluation and testing.
Thank you!

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Reply Date: 2017/07/19