The presence of HPV infection with HP viruses that cause genital warts, can be determined or confirmed with some special laboratory tests.
This is important, because, genital warts, usually, appear within 3 months of "risky" sexual act.
Some infections can stay dormant, without symptoms for months or even years, and the "owner" of HPV infection won't be aware of its presence.
Another reason why special tests are important to diagnose the infection, is because some of the warts are small less than one millimeter (visible only with an enhancing technique) and because of their location (warts can be hidden inside the vagina, cervix and at the urethral opening)
So, if you worry about having HPV infection related to genital warts, ask your gyn for further laboratory tests.
You shouldn't feel bad about having genital warts, cause it is very common infection and very easily transmitted.
About transmission...it happens through body fluids during sexual intercourse, through direct skin to skin contact (fingering, too) (genital warts can be located at scrotum, inner thighs, anal area), and through oral sex (genital warts tend to grow at moist environment such as mouth and throat).
Transmission is most likely when warts are present, and, possible, but, much less likely, when no warts are present.
Using condom is not as effective barrier for genital warts, as it is for the other STD's.