Genital warts have been linked to cancer of the genital area. Warts probably are passed from person to person, sometimes indirectly. The time between the first contact and the time that the warts can be seen is often several months. The risk of catching hand, foot and flat warts is small. Wearing shower thongs, taking proper care of hands and feet can limit the spread of warts.
Genital warts seem to be more contagious.
It is important to use precautions to limit the spread of genital warts. Some people get warts depending on how often they are exposed to the virus. Warts occur more easily if the skin has been damaged in some way, which explains the high frequency in people who bite their nails or pick at their cuticles. Some people are just more likely to contract warts than others, just like some people catch colds more easily than others do. Weakened immune systems, lack of adequate rest, poor nutrition, increased stress and close living quarters can also contribute to catching the wart virus.