[Question #9447] Oral HPV concern

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32 months ago
Hello, 

Im a 26 years old male, i went on a guy and performed oral sex for maybe 15 seconds , i noticed warts on his penis after. After then i touched my genitals. He didnt ejaculate inside my mouth. But afterwards i noticed small cut in my gums. Am i at risk of contracting oral or genital  HPV in my mouth? What are the chances ? Im so scared and nervous since im in a relationship and i dont want to put my partner at risk. 

Thank you
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
32 months ago
Welcome to the Forum- thanks for your questions.  The exposure you describe was unlikely to have resulted in HPV infection.    I have listed some facts below which I hope will be helpful, as well as a suggestion:

Facts:
1.  Most single exposures to partners with STIs, including HPV do not lead to infection.
2.  While there are no data proving this, it is logical to think that the short duration of your oral sex would reduce your risk for infection
3.  The type of HPV that causes visible genital warts is not the type of HPV that causes most oral HPV infections
4.  Even when oral HPV infections occur, the typically resolve over time without progression
5.  HPV is not meaningfully transmitted from person to person on someone's hands
6.  There is no reason to think that the small cut on your gums would increase your risk for infection

Thus, in summary, your risk for infection from the encounter you describe is low.  I would not worry and would not worry about transmission to your regular partner.  Going forward however, I would recommend that you (and your partner) be vaccinated against HPV.  The vaccine is safe, highly effective, and prevents infections with the types of HPV which cause most genital and oral HPV infections.

I hope that this information is helpful.  EWH
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32 months ago
Thank you so much doctor for your relieving response.
I have one last question. 
Would you consider getting hpv is rare through oral sex? 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
32 months ago
There are no precise estimates of how common HPV transmission is at any site however, the evidence does strongly indicate that oral infections are substantially less common than genital infections.  In addition, I will point out again that the HPV strain that causes visible genital warts is a relatively uncommon cause of oral infections.

Hope this is helpful.  EWH
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