Hpv symptoms mouth

Although it may look harmless under a microscope, it acts like a cancerous tumor, invading nearby tissues and often returning after treatment. Certain types of HPV can cause an infection in the mouth and throat. This rise has prompted heightened awareness and research efforts to better understand the risks and implications associated with oral HPV transmission and infection.

HPV symptoms in the mouth

  • Lesions or sores: HPV can cause the development of small, painless lesions or sores in the mouth or throat.

Screening schedules typically include:

  • Cervical cancer: People ages 21 to 29 years should have a Pap smear every 3 years. For example, they can use barrier methods during sexual activity and communicate openly with any sexual partners about STIs.

Adolescents who receive their first dose of the vaccine at the age of 15 years old or older will require three doses.

Aside from getting vaccinated, people can also reduce their risk of contracting HPV by:

  • using barrier methods, such as condoms and dental dams, during sexual activity, including oral sex
  • avoiding oral sex and deep kissing when any partner has open cuts or sores in the mouth
  • having regular sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening tests if sexually active
  • talking with sexual partners about their STI status

They can also increase the likelihood of early detection by:

  • having regular dental checkups
  • checking the mouth and tongue monthly for changes and abnormal growths
  • seeking medical attention from a healthcare professional for sores or growths in the mouth or on the tongue that last for more than 2–3 weeks

Read more about the HPV vaccine.

Most people who get HPV do not develop symptoms and clear the virus naturally.

However, those who experience symptoms will require medical monitoring to ensure that their body eventually rids itself of the virus and that growths do not become cancerous.

People with HPV can take steps to reduce the chance of the virus spreading to another person.

This is called oropharyngeal cancer. HPV in the vulva can cause small, raised bumps or clusters with a cauliflower-like appearance.

What Are the Symptoms of HPV?

Oral HPV infections rarely cause noticeable symptoms, which can make them difficult to detect without specific testing. Your provider may examine your mouth area. Also reviewed by David C.

Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M.

Your provider may look in your throat or nose using a flexible tube with a small camera at the end.

If your provider suspects cancer, other tests may be ordered, such as:

Most oral HPV infections go away on their own without treatment within 2 years and do not cause any health problems.

Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. This is because the virus can be on the nearby skin.

The HPV vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer. Explanation, symptoms, and treatments

Concerns about appearance and transmission of oral HPV infections are rising as they become more prevalent among people.

Quick exposure can occur through intimate activities like kissing or oral sex, thus, the virus become easily transmissible.

The mouth, a bustling hub of activity, can become a prime target for HPV invasion.

In the forthcoming discussion, we’ll review the visual aspects of oral HPV.

Stay tuned for insights into this intriguing yet pressing matter.

What is oral HPV?

Oral HPV, short for Human Papillomavirus, refers to a group of viruses that can infect the mouth and throat. By staying informed and proactive about oral health, I think you can take steps to mitigate the impact of HPV infections and safeguard their well-being.

What can be mistaken for oral HPV?

Oral thrush

Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by Candida yeast that can result in white patches or lesions in the mouth, similar to the appearance of some oral HPV lesions. It occurs in individuals with weakened immune systems or those who have taken antibiotics recently.

Oral lichen planus

This chronic inflammatory condition can manifest as white, lacy patches or sores in the mouth.

For many, the infection clears without intervention, but in some instances, it can lead to persistent lesions or tumors in the mouth and throat.

Examples:

  1. Take, for example, John, a 45-year-old smoker who ignored a persistent sore throat, only to discover a late-stage oral cancer caused by an HPV infection.
  2. On the other hand, Sarah, a 30-year-old non-smoker, experienced a transient HPV infection that cleared within a few months without any noticeable symptoms.

As we said, getting healthy habits like avoiding tobacco, maintaining good hygiene, and getting vaccinated can help reduce the risk.


When symptoms occur on the penis and scrotum, they can vary in appearance and severity:

  • Warts (condylomata acuminata): These cauliflower-like growths are the most common sign of HPV. They can vary in size and appear on the penis, on the scrotum, or around the anal region, and they may occur singly or in clusters.
  • Flat lesions: Some HPV-related lesions may be flat, pink, red, or flesh-colored, making them harder to notice than typical warts.

    In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. These may appear as white or red patches, bumps, or ulcers.

  • Sore throat: Those with oral HPV infections may experience persistent soreness or discomfort in the throat, which can sometimes be mistaken for a common cold or throat infection.
  • Difficulty swallowing: In more advanced cases, HPV-related lesions or tumors in the throat may lead to difficulty swallowing or a sensation of something stuck in the throat.
  • Changes in voice: HPV-related growths in the throat can affect vocal cord function, which will lead to changes in voice quality or hoarseness.
  • Ear pain: HPV-related lesions or tumors in the throat may cause referred pain to the ears.

Does HPV in the mouth go away?

HPV infections in the mouth will go away on their own without causing any symptoms or long-term complications in some cases.