What does HPV look like in your mouth?

Human papillomavirus is America’s most commonly transmitted sexually infection (STI). There are over 100 types of this virus. About 40 can infect the genitals, mouth, throat and throat.

In most cases, the immune system clears human papillomavirus (HPV), which must be removed from the body before it can cause severe symptoms and infection.

Some strains of HPV result in harmless oral lesions that usually resemble common warts, but doctors have linked some others with oral cancers.

What is it, and how can it spread?

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S.

Oral HPV is spread mainly through oral sex, mouth-to-mouth, and sexual contact.

If someone has the virus, they can pass it on to someone else through mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-mouth contact.

HPV can also be transmitted to babies during pregnancy. In some cases, it can spread through oral contact with contaminated medical instruments or utensils.

How common are HPV infections?

Both oral and HPV are common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 10% of Americans have oral HPV.

Risk factors

The main risk factor for oral HPV infection is oral sex.

Although researchers are still trying to identify the entire range of risk factors associated with oral HPV, some factors have been identified:

  • not using barrier methods during oral sex
  • engaging in deep kissing
  • Multiple sexual partners
  • Smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products
  • Engaging in sexual activities as a child
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Sharing drinks and utensils

What it looks like

Using barrier methods during oral sex sex, people can lower their chances of contracting HPV.

Many symptoms can be caused by HPV. People with mild cases of HPV don’t usually show any symptoms.

If it causes a productive infection, HPV may cause growths that are:

  • Small and difficult
  • White, pink, flesh-coloured or red
  • Whether slightly higher or lower
  • It’s painless
  • Slow growth is common
  • Smooth or slightly calloused
  • Single or multiple, in a mass of cobblestone or cauliflower-like material
  • Anywhere in the mouth, however, the lips, tongue, roof, or back of the mouth are all common areas.

HPV is the most common cause of oral cavity (oropharyngeal) cancers. However, this condition is very rare. Infections that affect the base, tongue, and throat are the most common causes of cancer.

The HPV 16 type causes most oral cancers associated with HPV.

As they progress, oral cancers often cause clear symptoms. These are the signs and symptoms of oral cancer

  • A sore or painful bump that doesn’t go away in 3 weeks
  • Having difficulty swallowing or feeling like things are sticking together while trying to swallow
  • Discolouration of the soft tissues around the mouth (red, black, or white)
  • Tonsils that are swollen but not painful
  • A lump in the mouth that lasts at least three weeks
  • A lump is a feeling that someone feels around the neck.
  • Pain when chewing
  • A chronic sore throat or cough
  • persistent hoarseness
  • Numbness or tingling of the tongue or lips
  • A unilateral or unidirectional earache lasts more than three weeks.
  • Drooling

Diagnosis

A doctor cannot diagnose HPV easily at this time. A polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) is the most reliable test to diagnose HPV.

A PCR test amplifies a small fragment of DNA scientists have taken from cells using a sample of mucus. It creates countless identical copies. Scientists can examine cells to detect tiny amounts of viral or abnormal DNA by having multiple copies of the DNA fragment.

A doctor might be able to diagnose HPV by examining the mouth in rare cases.