BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuOral human papillomavirus infectionOropharyngeal HPV infection; Oral HPV infection Human papillomavirus infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection. The infection is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV can cause genital warts and lead to cervical cancer. Certain types of HPV can cause an infection in the mouth and throat. In some people, this can cause oral cancer. Cervical cancerCervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens at the top of the vagina.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Oral cancerOral cancer is cancer that starts in the mouth.Read Article Now Book Mark Article This article is about oral HPV infection. Causes Oral HPV is thought to spread mainly through oral sex and deep tongue kissing. The virus passes from one person to another during sexual activity.Your risk of getting the infection goes up if you:Have more sexual partners Use tobacco or alcohol Have a weak immune system Men are more likely to have oral HPV infection than women. Certain types of HPV are known to cause cancer of the throat or larynx. This is called oropharyngeal cancer. HPV-16 is associated with almost all oral cancers. Throat or larynxThroat cancer is cancer of the vocal cords, larynx (voice box), pharynx, or other areas of the throat.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Oral HPV infection shows no symptoms. You can have HPV without ever knowing it. You can pass on the virus because you don't know you have it.Most people who develop oropharyngeal cancer from an HPV infection have had the infection for a long time.Symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer may include: Abnormal (high-pitched) breathing sounds Cough Coughing up blood Trouble swallowing, pain when swallowing Sore throat that lasts more than 2 to 3 weeks, even with antibiotics Hoarseness that does not get better in 3 to 4 weeks Swollen lymph nodes White or red area (lesion) on tonsils Jaw pain or swelling Neck or cheek lump Unexplained weight loss Exams and Tests An oral HPV infection has no symptoms and cannot be detected by a test. If you have symptoms that concern you, it does not mean you have cancer, but you should see your health care provider to get it checked.You may undergo a physical exam. Your provider may examine your mouth area. You may be asked about your medical history and any symptoms you noticed. 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:Biopsy of suspected tumor. This tissue will also be tested for HPV. BiopsyA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray. Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.Read Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of chest. CT scan of chestA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....Read Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of head and neck. CT scan of head and neck.A head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.Read Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of the head or neck. MRI of the headA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...Read Article Now Book Mark Article PET scan.PET scanA positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a type of imaging test. It uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease in the body...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Most oral HPV infections go away on their own without treatment within 2 years and do not cause any health problems. Possible Complications Certain types of HPV can cause oropharyngeal cancer. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider right away if you notice any of the symptoms of mouth and throat cancer. Prevention Using condoms and dental dams may help prevent the spread of oral HPV. But be aware that condoms or dams cannot fully protect you. This is because the virus can be on the nearby skin.Condoms and dental damsSafe sex means taking steps before and during sex that can prevent you from getting an infection, or from giving an infection to your partner. These...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The HPV vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer. It's not clear if the vaccine can also help prevent oral HPV. HPV vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Ask your provider whether vaccination is right for you. Open ReferencesReferencesBonnez W. Papillomaviruses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 143.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. HPV and oropharyngeal cancer. www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/oropharyngeal-cancer.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/hpv_oropharyngeal.htm. Updated November 4, 2023. Accessed June 19, 2024.Rettig E, Gourin CG, Fakhry C. Human papillomavirus and the epidemiology of head and neck cancer. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 74.AllVideoImagesTogA Closer Look Herpes simplex - InDepth(In-Depth)Cervical cancer - InDepth(In-Depth)Immunizations - InDepth(In-Depth)Sexually transmitted diseases(Alt. Medicine)Rheumatoid arthritis - InDepth(In-Depth)Birth control options for women - InDepth(In-Depth)Melanoma and other skin cancers - InDepth(In-Depth)Warts(Alt. Medicine)Self Care Aging changes in teeth and gumsRelated Information Review Date: 6/4/2023 Reviewed By: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. 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Oral human papillomavirus infectionOropharyngeal HPV infection; Oral HPV infection Human papillomavirus infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection. The infection is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV can cause genital warts and lead to cervical cancer. Certain types of HPV can cause an infection in the mouth and throat. In some people, this can cause oral cancer. Cervical cancerCervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens at the top of the vagina.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Oral cancerOral cancer is cancer that starts in the mouth.Read Article Now Book Mark Article This article is about oral HPV infection. Causes Oral HPV is thought to spread mainly through oral sex and deep tongue kissing. The virus passes from one person to another during sexual activity.Your risk of getting the infection goes up if you:Have more sexual partners Use tobacco or alcohol Have a weak immune system Men are more likely to have oral HPV infection than women. Certain types of HPV are known to cause cancer of the throat or larynx. This is called oropharyngeal cancer. HPV-16 is associated with almost all oral cancers. Throat or larynxThroat cancer is cancer of the vocal cords, larynx (voice box), pharynx, or other areas of the throat.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Oral HPV infection shows no symptoms. You can have HPV without ever knowing it. You can pass on the virus because you don't know you have it.Most people who develop oropharyngeal cancer from an HPV infection have had the infection for a long time.Symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer may include: Abnormal (high-pitched) breathing sounds Cough Coughing up blood Trouble swallowing, pain when swallowing Sore throat that lasts more than 2 to 3 weeks, even with antibiotics Hoarseness that does not get better in 3 to 4 weeks Swollen lymph nodes White or red area (lesion) on tonsils Jaw pain or swelling Neck or cheek lump Unexplained weight loss Exams and Tests An oral HPV infection has no symptoms and cannot be detected by a test. If you have symptoms that concern you, it does not mean you have cancer, but you should see your health care provider to get it checked.You may undergo a physical exam. Your provider may examine your mouth area. You may be asked about your medical history and any symptoms you noticed. 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:Biopsy of suspected tumor. This tissue will also be tested for HPV. BiopsyA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray. Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.Read Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of chest. CT scan of chestA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....Read Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of head and neck. CT scan of head and neck.A head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.Read Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of the head or neck. MRI of the headA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...Read Article Now Book Mark Article PET scan.PET scanA positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a type of imaging test. It uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease in the body...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Most oral HPV infections go away on their own without treatment within 2 years and do not cause any health problems. Possible Complications Certain types of HPV can cause oropharyngeal cancer. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider right away if you notice any of the symptoms of mouth and throat cancer. Prevention Using condoms and dental dams may help prevent the spread of oral HPV. But be aware that condoms or dams cannot fully protect you. This is because the virus can be on the nearby skin.Condoms and dental damsSafe sex means taking steps before and during sex that can prevent you from getting an infection, or from giving an infection to your partner. These...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The HPV vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer. It's not clear if the vaccine can also help prevent oral HPV. HPV vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Ask your provider whether vaccination is right for you. Open ReferencesReferencesBonnez W. Papillomaviruses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 143.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. HPV and oropharyngeal cancer. www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/oropharyngeal-cancer.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/hpv_oropharyngeal.htm. Updated November 4, 2023. Accessed June 19, 2024.Rettig E, Gourin CG, Fakhry C. Human papillomavirus and the epidemiology of head and neck cancer. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 74.