Oral HPV Infection

Many of my patients have been asking me about Human Papilloma Virus ( HPV) Infection in the mouth and throat, and the risks associated with this infection. I thought it might be useful to write a few words about this.

HPV is a sexually transmitted virus (STI/STD) associated with a risk of developing cervical , vaginal , vulvar and anal cancer. We now know that there is also a link between HPV and mouth and throat ( oropharyngeal) cancers. A recent study in America concluded that about 1 in 15 Americans are infected with oral HPV. Previous studies have shown that there has been a threefold rise in oral cancers, caused in particular by HPV type 16, one of the most aggressive types of HPV. There are many different strains of HPV, some more aggressive than others.

The recent studies have shown that HPV oral infection is about 3 times more prevalent in men, compared to women. Other risk factors for getting infected is increasing age, more sexual partners and also smoking. The most likely way of picking up the virus is by performing oral sex on someone who has the virus on their genitals. Up to 80% of sexually active adults will have an HPV infection at some point in their lives.

The good news is that most people will be able to clear the virus themselves, however this is harder when you are repeatedly exposed to the infection. In a small percentage of people that have the HPV infection , it can then go on and lead to genital warts or cancers.

At the moment there is no specific treatment to prevent oral HPV infection turning into cancer. However there is a vaccine available that protects against the 4 common and more aggressive strains of HPV, called Gardasil. The vaccine consists of 3 injections over a period of 6 months. Currently the vaccine is licensed for women, however we do vaccinate at risk men as well on an off license basis. Given the new evidence that HPV is more prevalent in men, I think it is even more important that men get vaccinated against this infection, than ever before.

Protect yourself against HPV infection by getting vaccinated now!