[Question #10175] Hpv risk - kissing and oral sex
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25 months ago
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Hi,
I went through your answers already however I just want to get a better understanding of HPV so I am writing this question. I am 26 years old and got recently vaccinated against HPV, I will receive the third dose in the next 5 months, already received the first two doses. The reason was that I was having unprotected oral sex with escorts and kissing them. I only had vaginal sex two times protected with escorts and a long-time girlfriend (first partner for both of us). All remaning sexual acts were unprotected oral sex, I was the receiver. Do you think getting the vaccine was sensible? Should I be afraid of getting HPV with unprotected oral sex or kissing? Can I pass it along to a new girlfriend? As far as I understand the risks are miniscule but I just want to be sure.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
25 months ago
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Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. Congratulations on getting the HPV vaccine as well- it will do much to protect you and your partners going forward. We recommend the vaccine for virtually everyone. FYI, following the first two injections of the HPV vaccine most persons have full protection from the types of HPV included in the vaccine- the 3rd shot consolidates and prolongs the protective effect but at this time you are fully protected.
HPV from receipt of oral sex and from kissing is far less common that infection from genital-genital or ano-genital contact. For reasons that are not completely understood, the HPV virus does not infect the mouth and oral cavity as readily as it infects other sites of sexual exposure. Further, transmission of HPV through oral sex, or kissing is uncommon as well. The chances that you have acquired HPV from receipt of oral sex or from kissing are low. I would not be concerned.
I hope these comments are helpful. EWH
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25 months ago
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Thank you very much for your answers. I think I was feeling a bit guilty about my experiences so that caused a bit anxiety on my side. Just as further reference, even if I caught HPV, in most cases it would be cleared by the immune system in a few years, right? And the possible cancer risk is miniscule, less than other cancers such as colon, etc. So I should not worry about passing it to a new partner or catching it since I am vaccinated and the hpv types that I might have earlier caught, were quite likely cleared by my immune system.
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25 months ago
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And, on an unrelated note, I am a bit of an anxious person and reassurance helps me (this is something that I should work on myself). With unprotected oral sex with escort, I know there is virtually no risk of hiv, chlamydia. As far as I understand, the main risk is with gonorrhea, ngu and hsv-1. What about trichomonassis and NGU tests? Do you think I should get tested for them before finding a long term partner. I am very anxious to pass something to my partner.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
25 months ago
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You are correct, the vast majority of HPV infections become non-detectable over a period of just a few years following acquisition, resolving with no consequences. If anything the vaccine increases the likelihood of resolution.
Regarding your f/u on other STIs related to receipt of oral sex, there is no meaningful risk for acquisition of HIV, chlamydial infections are vanishingly rare as is trichomoniasis . The main risk is for gonorrhea and non-chlamydial NGU which is now thought to be the result of introduction of mouth bacteria into the urethra. There are no data to suggest that non-chlamydial NGU represents a hazard to exposed sexual partners.
Testing is a personal choice. In the absence of symptoms, the likelihood that you are infected is very small. EWH
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25 months ago
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Thank you very much Dr. Hook. I did not receive much education about this and you and your colleagues helped me a lot, especially with my anxiety. In regards to NGU, is there any risk to me of it's not treated and I have no symptoms? If amount of replies is full, I can also ask another question.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
25 months ago
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We provide up to 3 responses to each client's questions. This 3rd response will be my final reply after which the thread will be closed without further replies. I hope the information I have provided is helpful to you.
Non-chlamydial NGU from oral sex may resolve without treatment but treatment seems to speed the process. there are no data to show that non-chlamydial NGU causes complications or long term problems with the syndrome, just as there are no data indicating that exposure to non-chlamydial NGU is a problem for sex partners.
This will complete this thread. Take care. EWH
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