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How Is Human Papilloma Virus Transmitted?

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Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2015
Question: I am following up a line of questions from a few days ago. This was the most recent discussion, and I have a follow-up question, which appears following the conversation below.

I wrote:
Thank you for your response. I believe I understand the principle. To confirm that I have a proper understanding of how the principle actually applies in specific situations, could you answer yes or no (with explanation of course as is helpful) about the following scenarios?

1. An infected male who performs cunnilingus on an uninfected woman does not expose her to genital HPV.
2. An uninfected woman who performs fellatio on an infected males does expose herself to genital HPV. (If yes, how can this be if the woman's receptors for genital HPV are not located in the mouth?)

Many thanks.

Asked by Me , 4 days ago

Doctor's reply to your question above...
Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
Yes,both statements are correct. there is no transmission if there is no direct contact between genital hpv and genital area

Replied by Dr. XXXXXXX Romic , 3 days ago

MY FOLLOW-UP QUESTION is this - if the receptors for genital HPV are not found in the mouth, then I understand that an infected male who performs cunnilingus on an uninfected woman does not expose her to genital HPV. And yet - if the receptors for genital HPV are not found in the mouth, then why would an uninfected woman performing fellatio on an infected male be at risk to acquire HPV? In the case of fellatio there is no genital-to-genital contact, which as I understand it is how genital HPV is transmitted.

Many thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak S Jois (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Spread can occur with oral sex also

Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for asking in healthcaremagic forum
I am Dr Deepak S Jois answering your query

I understood your confusion. Herpes can occur in clinical and sub-clinical forms, means a person may/may not suffer from it inspite of having infection. But can spread infection to others as the virus is shed in his body fluids unknowingly.
So, spread of herpes infection can be there from vaginal/oral/anal intercourse.So, hope your doubts come within these categories and it is misconception to think that herpes cannot spread if you do not have genital to genital contact.
Hope, I have answered all your queries. Please let me know if I can be any help further. All the best.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak S Jois (15 hours later)
Hi, thank you. My earlier question was actually about genital HPV, not herpes. So I have the same questions as before, noted above.

I was told by this site that genital HPV is not transmitted from an infected male to an uninfected female through cunnilingus. Is that correct?

Many thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak S Jois (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The transmission route applies to this also

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking in healthcaremagic forum
I am Dr Deepak S Jois answering your query again
The transmission of Human pappiloma virus can be due to sexual contact of all types(anal/oral/vaginal).
The possible transmission by non sexual skin contact and through blood is being investigated though very rare.
So, please take precautions while engaging in these kind of activities with an infected person though condom is not fully protective.
All the best. Please get back to me for any help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak S Jois (48 minutes later)
Hi, thank you, this is a very interesting answer in terms of principles.

My question is how this plays out in practical application of the principles.

Is it true that an infected male who performs cunnilingus on an uninfected female will not expose her to genital HPV, since the genital HPV receptors are not in his mouth and therefore cannot be transmitted that way?

Is it true that an uninfected female who performs fellatio on an infected male is exposing herself to genital HPV? If yes, why would this be - if the woman's receptors for genital HPV are not located in the mouth?

Many thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak S Jois (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I got your point now

Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for getting back to me
I am Dr Deepak S Jois answering your questions

I think you know that, HPV can cause cervical carcinoma. So, Many studies have found Human pappiloma virus in body fluids and in oral secretions of cervical carcinoma patient with HPV infection.
So, spread of the same by oral secretions is under study. So, I cannot accurately say that it cannot be transmitted by infected male to uninfected females during performance of cunnilingus though there is no direct genital to genital contact.
It is better to avoid these things till the research say it is safe. You can contact a dermatologist for this as he can give you research updates regarding this.
Hope , I have answered your query now to your point. Please let me know. All the best.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Deepak S Jois

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 1107 Questions

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How Is Human Papilloma Virus Transmitted?

Brief Answer: Spread can occur with oral sex also Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for asking in healthcaremagic forum I am Dr Deepak S Jois answering your query I understood your confusion. Herpes can occur in clinical and sub-clinical forms, means a person may/may not suffer from it inspite of having infection. But can spread infection to others as the virus is shed in his body fluids unknowingly. So, spread of herpes infection can be there from vaginal/oral/anal intercourse.So, hope your doubts come within these categories and it is misconception to think that herpes cannot spread if you do not have genital to genital contact. Hope, I have answered all your queries. Please let me know if I can be any help further. All the best.