A member asked:

If i have genital hpv and spend hours wearing a wetsuit in the ocean, will the virus spread through the inside of the suit as its a moist and warm environment? is it possible to contaminate surfaces with my skin or wetsuit after its removed?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Strains of HPV are site specific to the areas they can grow. Genital strains are specific to that location/type of skin and don't cause warts or other infection on other skin surfaces. These germs do not spread like simple staph or strep germs.

Answered 5/14/2023

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Dr. Hunter Handsfield answered

Specializes in Infectious Disease

This is not known to happen with HPV. If it does, it must be exceedingly rare -- otherwise there would have been millions of cases of warts or other HPV lesions showing up in the entire area covered by bathing trunks, wet suits, etc. You really needn't worry about it.

Answered 5/15/2023

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