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Human papilloma virus (HPV)

 

Can I get HPV from oral sex?

 

The skin in the mouth, gums, tongue and throat can be infected with HPV. If one of the partners is infected with HPV performing oral sex on that partner can lead to infection of the other partner. Actual warts in the mouth are very rare. However, we do know that certain types of cancer of the tonsils and part of the tongue are caused by some of the same HPV types that cause cancer of the cervix. We also know that these types of cancers are associated with oral sex. Because there is no screening test for HPV of the mouth and throat we don't know how common HPV infection is in the mouth, tongue and throat.