Wart Virus
Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) infecting the skin. There are many different types of this virus, which causes many different types of warts. Some common warts are plantar warts, flat warts, common warts and genital warts. The incubation period of warts may be as short as a few weeks or as long as a few months.
Exposure to Virus
Warts form after exposure to HPV. There are more than 50 different types of this virus, and it is quite contagious to those without immunity to the virus. Children and the elderly are especially prone to develop warts once exposed to the virus. People must come in contact with the virus to catch it, and this may include touching a table, doorknob, phone or anything else after an infected person.