Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is HPV Contracted Through Oral Sex?
Question: I have been talking with Healthcare Magic over the last 4-5 weeks. I have been exposed to the sexually transmitted disease HPV, and as a male there is not any way to determine if I have actually contracted it. However, I have some questions about its transmission with future partners.
I have understood from my earlier communications with you that:
- HPV can be communicated through oral sex: an uninfected female can receive HPV through performing fellatio on an infected male
- HPV can be transmitted through open-mouth kissing
- The transmitters for genital HPV are not found in the mouth
My question is - if the transmitters for genital HPV are not found in the mouth, then how is it that genital HPV can be transmitted through fellatio or kissing? Or can it be transmitted that way?
Many thanks
I have understood from my earlier communications with you that:
- HPV can be communicated through oral sex: an uninfected female can receive HPV through performing fellatio on an infected male
- HPV can be transmitted through open-mouth kissing
- The transmitters for genital HPV are not found in the mouth
My question is - if the transmitters for genital HPV are not found in the mouth, then how is it that genital HPV can be transmitted through fellatio or kissing? Or can it be transmitted that way?
Many thanks
Brief Answer:
HPV can infect the mouth too.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
The Human Papilloma Virus infects only the keratinocytes (skin cells) and the mucous membrane (the pinkish area inside the mouth or genitals). Therefore these pathogens can be found in the mouth as well. During fellatio, if either partner has HPV, then it can be transmitted to the other, if a condom is not used.
This is a fact.
Feel free to post further queries.
HPV can infect the mouth too.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
The Human Papilloma Virus infects only the keratinocytes (skin cells) and the mucous membrane (the pinkish area inside the mouth or genitals). Therefore these pathogens can be found in the mouth as well. During fellatio, if either partner has HPV, then it can be transmitted to the other, if a condom is not used.
This is a fact.
Feel free to post further queries.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thank you.
I have three follow-up questions. I have found in the past that I understand the answers best when each question is answered specifically rather than providing a general response.
I think I need to distinguish between genital and other kinds of HPV. I had understood from earlier communications with HealthcareMagic that the receptors for GENITAL HPV are not found in the mouth. 1. If I am understanding your answer correctly, receptors for genital HPV are in fact found in the mouth. Do I understand this correctly?
2. And this is why GENITAL HPV can be transmitted through fellatio, is that correct?
3. Can GENITAL HPV, then, be transmitted through open mouth kissing?
One more follow-up question. If GENITAL HPV can be transmitted through fellatio, then it would seem it could also be transmitted through cunnilingus. Specifically could you answer the question I have posed before to HealthcareMagic, if a male who has been exposed to GENITAL HPV performs cunnilingus on an uninfected female, is the female at risk of acquiring GENITAL HPV?
Many thanks once again.
Many thanks.
I have three follow-up questions. I have found in the past that I understand the answers best when each question is answered specifically rather than providing a general response.
I think I need to distinguish between genital and other kinds of HPV. I had understood from earlier communications with HealthcareMagic that the receptors for GENITAL HPV are not found in the mouth. 1. If I am understanding your answer correctly, receptors for genital HPV are in fact found in the mouth. Do I understand this correctly?
2. And this is why GENITAL HPV can be transmitted through fellatio, is that correct?
3. Can GENITAL HPV, then, be transmitted through open mouth kissing?
One more follow-up question. If GENITAL HPV can be transmitted through fellatio, then it would seem it could also be transmitted through cunnilingus. Specifically could you answer the question I have posed before to HealthcareMagic, if a male who has been exposed to GENITAL HPV performs cunnilingus on an uninfected female, is the female at risk of acquiring GENITAL HPV?
Many thanks once again.
Many thanks.
Brief Answer:
There is a definite risk of HPV transmission. Practice safe sex.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX XXXXXX,
I understand your concerns about HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). It's good to be health conscious these days.
Since you like detailed answers for every question you pose, let's go about it in that fashion.
1. The first answer is that there is no such thing as genital and oral HPV. There are at least 4 different types of HPV, HPV-18 and HPV-16 in particular being rather bothersome. The "receptors" of HPV, as you call them are normal skin cells called keratinocytes and mucous membrane cells.
Yes, since these cells can be found in the mouth, "receptors" for HPV exist in the mouth (oral cavity).
2. Yes. HPV as such, and not precisely "genital" HPV, can be transmitted through fellatio.
3. HPV is HPV, regardless of whether it infects the mouth, penis, vagina or anal region. Therefore we cannot categorize HPV as being "genital", as such.
HPV can definitely be transmitted through kissing. It is not necessarily "open mouth" kissing that can transmit HPV, any intimate unprotected contact with an HPV carrier can transmit the infection.
4. To answer your fourth question, I will directly say "Yes".
Given the facts above, since cunnilingus involves oral-vaginal contact, it can be transmitted from an infected male to a female and vice versa.
5. Please use condoms.
6. Please "vaccinate" your partner with HPV vaccines, Gardasil by the Merck company and Cervarix by GlaxoSmithKline. This will prevent HPV in your female partner.
7.Please try to acquire a female condom, this is a most robust protection against HPV.
Please feel free to ask any further health related queries.
Take care of your health.
There is a definite risk of HPV transmission. Practice safe sex.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX XXXXXX,
I understand your concerns about HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). It's good to be health conscious these days.
Since you like detailed answers for every question you pose, let's go about it in that fashion.
1. The first answer is that there is no such thing as genital and oral HPV. There are at least 4 different types of HPV, HPV-18 and HPV-16 in particular being rather bothersome. The "receptors" of HPV, as you call them are normal skin cells called keratinocytes and mucous membrane cells.
Yes, since these cells can be found in the mouth, "receptors" for HPV exist in the mouth (oral cavity).
2. Yes. HPV as such, and not precisely "genital" HPV, can be transmitted through fellatio.
3. HPV is HPV, regardless of whether it infects the mouth, penis, vagina or anal region. Therefore we cannot categorize HPV as being "genital", as such.
HPV can definitely be transmitted through kissing. It is not necessarily "open mouth" kissing that can transmit HPV, any intimate unprotected contact with an HPV carrier can transmit the infection.
4. To answer your fourth question, I will directly say "Yes".
Given the facts above, since cunnilingus involves oral-vaginal contact, it can be transmitted from an infected male to a female and vice versa.
5. Please use condoms.
6. Please "vaccinate" your partner with HPV vaccines, Gardasil by the Merck company and Cervarix by GlaxoSmithKline. This will prevent HPV in your female partner.
7.Please try to acquire a female condom, this is a most robust protection against HPV.
Please feel free to ask any further health related queries.
Take care of your health.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
