I am currently pregnant and have genital warts. Can I pass genital warts to my baby?

It is rare but possible to transfer HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), the virus that causes genital warts, to your baby during delivery. According to recent data, transmission rates are as high as 1 in 80 to as low as 1 in 1500. The main issue in transmission regards involvement of the baby’s throat. Gardasil (the vaccine used to prevent HPV infections) is currently contraindicated for use in pregnancy. If you have any questions or concerns about this issue you should contact your Obstertrician/Midwife. With them, you can discuss possible options for delivery such as a Cesarean Section, which greatly reduces transmission.