Could someone have genital warts for 5 years and not know it?

Yes, genital warts do not always break out. They may lie dormant for up to 8 years. HPV, however, doesn't necessarily mean warts. I developed cervical cancer from HPV that never showed in ANY test. I had it for over 10 years. Very embaring. 82% of women have one of over 200 strains of HPV and of those 106 strains lead to cancer/dysplasia and 53 strains lead to warts.