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Can You Get HPV in Your Mouth?

HPV stands for human papilloma virus. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections among adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and the Mayo Clinic, 6.2 million Americans become infected with HPV each year. There are also approximately 20 million Americans with an active HPV infection. The 2006 New England Journal of Medicine stated that among college-aged women who had at least one different sexual partner per year, nearly 85 percent will be exposed to at least one strain of HPV.

  1. About HPV

    • HPV invades the skin and mucous membranes of infected persons. Approximately 130 different yet related strains of HPV have been discovered. The virus typically inhabits the skin of the genital region and anus, and it can also be found in the mouth. According to the CDC, of the known strains of HPV, approximately 30 are sexually transmitted in nature. HPV-infected areas may display small warts or lesions. However, the lesions may not be readily visible with oral HPV .

    Prevalence

    • The American Social Health Association estimates that approximately 80 percent of adults will contract a strain of HPV during their lifetime. Nearly half of adults aged 20 to 24 either are or have been infected with HPV. HPV infection rates are particularly high among adults in college.

    Spreading HPV

    • HPV is spread when the infected skin of an individual with an active HPV infection comes in contact with the skin of an uninfected person. This often happens during sexual intercourse as HPV inhabits the skin of the penis, vagina, anus and soft mucous membranes. An HPV-infected person often has warts or blisters on the vagina, anus or other infected areas. These signs, however, may not always be present, and HPV can be passed to others unknowingly.

    Oral HPV Infection

    • The most common way for HPV to infect the mouth is during oral sex. Oral HPV can also be spread by kissing an infected person. The soft mucous membranes inside the mouth allow HPV to thrive. Because HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact and not blood and bodily fluids, even brief oral contact with the sexual organs of an infected person can spread the virus. Because of the nature of how HPV is spread, condoms provide some protection. Condoms, however, will not protect you from HPV to an absolute degree because the skin of the inner thighs and other areas close to the sexual organs is still exposed.

    More On Oral HPV

    • Rarely, oral HPV can also be contracted by infants born to mothers with active HPV infection. This happens when the infant comes into contact with vagina of the HPV-infected mother. This has been known to lead to a particularly serious condition known as respiratory papillomatosis (RP). If untreated, RP can cause painful warts to develop in the throat of an infected infant and can also lead to benign growths on the vocal cords. Further, the genitals of infants can also be infected during childbirth.

    Prevention

    • HPV is difficult to prevent because it is easily spread and often does not present symptoms. However, using protection when having oral or other sexual intercourse can lower your risk of infection for HPV. For the best protection, limit sexual encounters to a monogamous relationship with an individual who is known to be free of HPV. To further reduce the risk of contracting oral HPV, avoid having oral sex with someone who may be infected. There is an HPV vaccine Gardisil that is available for women, and it protects them from certain strains of HPV that are known to cause cervical cancer.

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