Medical professionals estimate that of over 100 strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) approximately 30 strains of the virus are known to lead to genital warts.

Genital warts are classified as a sexually transmitted disease, yet the exchange of bodily fluids during sexual intercourse is not required for the virus to spread. The highly contagious genital warts are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.

The human Papilloma Virus that causes genital warts is transferable through oral sex, and genital HPV strains have been detected in warts that have formed in the mouth and throat.

Once infected, it is also possible to spread genital warts to other parts of your body by scratching an infected area and then touching another body part, particularly in the genital area.

It is important to wash your hands thoroughly should you accidentally come in contact with the genital warts on your body or come in contact with them during the application of a topical treatment.

Vertical transmission is the name given to the transferal of genital warts from mother to baby during childbirth. While it is possible for a mother with genital warts to deliver a baby vaginally without transferal, there are some accounts of infection to the newborn from the mother.

Though there is no hard proof that genital warts can be transferred from fomites