Are you aware of HPV that occurs in the mouth? (Oral HPV) Let's talk about this!

Have you ever heard of the virus called HPV ? You may have heard this name when talking about cervical cancer . But did you know that this HPV virus can also cause infections in our mouth and throat? Although this is actually very common, many people are not aware of this. So today, let's talk very simply and politely about HPV that occurs in the mouth (Oral HPV).

Simply put, what is Oral HPV?

HPV is an abbreviation for Human Papillomavirus . It is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ). There are over 200 types of HPV. Of these, about 40 types can cause infections in the mouth, throat, and genitals.

But don't be afraid here. Most of the time, our body's immune system fights off this virus before it becomes an infection. That's why many people don't even realize they have HPV. But sometimes, this virus stays in the body and causes an infection.

What are the symptoms of an oral HPV infection?

Here's the important thing. Many people don't have any symptoms. This means that even if you're infected with the virus, you may not know it. This means that you're more likely to unknowingly infect your partner .

Very rarely, some people may develop symptoms. If so, you may notice:

• Small wart-like bumps on the lips, inside the mouth, or in the throat.
• Sometimes small injuries occur.

Typically, warts or bumps like this can appear within three to six months of being infected with the virus.

Risk factors for developing throat cancer

The most dangerous aspect of oral HPV is that some high-risk HPV types (especially HPV-16 ) can develop into throat cancer (`Oropharyngeal Cancer`) if they are present in the body for a long time. Although this does not happen very often, it is important to be aware.

If these symptoms persist for more than two weeks , be sure to see your doctor .

How is this infection transmitted? Who is most at risk?

Oral HPV is spread mainly through oral sex . It can also be spread through deep kissing . The virus is found in the saliva and mucus of someone with HPV. So, if those things come into contact with a small cut or sore in your partner 's mouth, the virus can be transmitted.

There are several factors that increase the risk:

• Oral sex: This is the main risk factor.
• Number of sexual partners in a lifetime: The risk increases with the number of partners .
• Smoking: Smoking weakens the immune system, reducing its ability to fight the virus.
• Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol use also increases the risk.
• Immunodeficiency: Having a disease that weakens the immune system, such as HIV.
• Being male: Research has shown that oral HPV is more common in men than in women. The exact reason for this has not yet been found.

How does a doctor diagnose and treat this?

Currently, there is no specific test to check for oral HPV in someone who is asymptomatic. It is often discovered incidentally when a dentist or other doctor examines your mouth.

If there is a suspicious lump or lesion inside the mouth, the doctor will take a small piece of tissue and send it for a biopsy . This test will determine whether it is cancer, a precancerous condition, or something normal.

As for treatment, as I mentioned earlier, most of the time the body clears the virus on its own within two years. So no treatment is needed. However, if you have warts or lumps in your mouth, you can remove them:

• Removal by surgery .
• Cryotherapy is a method of burning using extreme cold.
• An injection of a vaccine called ``Interferon alfa -2B''.

Can the HPV vaccine prevent this?

Yes, absolutely! This is the best news. Research has shown that the HPV vaccine can prevent oral HPV infections.

This vaccine not only protects against oral HPV, but also against many other types of HPV-related cancers, such as cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, anal cancer, and penile cancer. Therefore, it is worth talking to your doctor about getting the HPV vaccine.