It is possible to spread the virus through intimate contact that does not include intercourse, such as genital-to-genital contact or oral-to-genital contact. So, it is possible that someone who has not had intercourse could be infected with HPV and spread it to others.
While sexual intercourse is the primary means of transmission, genital-to-genital interactions, oral-to-genital interactions, or deep (French) kissing can also spread the virus.
It's mostly spread through sexual intercourse, genital skin-to-skin contact and oral sex. And it's very common. In fact, it's more common than all other sexually transmitted infections combined! HPV is not spread by casual contact, such as hugging, shaking hands, sneezing or coughing.
HPV cannot be spread by touching hard surfaces, like a doorknob or toilet seat. It also cannot be passed by sharing clothes or towels.
The main feature of HPV is genital warts, but not all children will develop them. Even though HPV is called an STI, it can be transmitted through non-sexual routes like hand to hand contact, or from mother to child during a vaginal delivery, for example.
Yes. Although most infections occur following intercourse, HPV may also be passed on during oral sex and genital-to-genital contact. Even more rarely, a mom can transmit the virus to her baby during birth.
The answer is “no.” Dr. Rebecca A. Gray says “HPV is sexually transmitted. Causal contact, including sharing towels or taking baths does not transmit HPV.” (See healthtap.com) (1).
HPV is spread through oral sex. If your partner is infected with genital HPV and you perform oral sex, you risk getting HPV. Having oral sex with many partners increases your risk for oral HPV. How Can I Prevent Oral HPV?
You're contagious for as long as you have the virus — regardless of whether or not you have symptoms. For example, even if your genital warts have disappeared, you can still spread the HPV that caused them if the virus is still in your body. Once your immune system destroys the virus, you're no longer contagious.
HPV is passed from one person to another during skin-to-skin sexual contact, including oral sex. In a recent study, 46 percent of females got HPV before ever having vaginal intercourse. You cannot get HPV from toilet seats, hugging or holding hands, swimming in pools or hot tubs, or sharing food or utensils.
Should a person stop dating if they have HPV? A person can continue to date if they have HPV. If people know they have HPV, they may want to date a person for a while before engaging in sexual activity. This can give people the chance to get to know one another better before discussing HPV.
For 90 percent of women with HPV, the condition will clear up on its own within two years. Only a small number of women who have one of the HPV strains that cause cervical cancer will ever actually develop the disease.
HPV can stay in the body for 10-20 years. Finding out you have HPV doesn't mean you or your partner have been unfaithful. It's your decision whether or not to tell your partner you have HPV.
Is there a treatment for oral HPV infection? Currently there is no treatment for the oral HPV infection. However, most people who get an infection usually clear the virus on their own within a year or two of getting the infection with no treatment and no interventions.
What does oral HPV look like? HPV infection within the mouth will first present as small red, pink or pale sores, similar to any mouth ulcer or canker sore. That is why prompt action on your behalf to see a dentist is a must if you detect any oral abnormality in your day-to-day life.
What are the symptoms of HPV-positive throat cancer? Symptoms include hoarseness, pain or difficulty swallowing, pain while chewing, a lump in the neck, a feeling of apersistent lump in the throat, change in voice, or non-healing sores on the neck.
Poor oral health, including gum disease and dental problems, was found to be associated with oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which causes about 40 percent to 80 percent of oropharyngeal cancers, according to a study in Cancer Prevention Research.
HPV infections are common
HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus, even if they don't have signs or symptoms.
Typically, the HPV types that cause genital warts survive just two to three hours outside the human body, he said, adding that if the virus is in a warm and humid environment, it can survive more than a day. If someone then makes skin contact with a contaminated surface, they could be infected, he said.
HPV infection can be detected on inanimate objects, such as clothing or environmental surfaces. However, transmission is not known to occur by this route.
Protecting Yourself and Others
If you've been diagnosed with HPV, you can still lead a relatively normal life. However, you need to protect yourself and any other sexual partners you have as you do so: Use condoms: Using condoms when having sex is essential to reduce the risk of transmitting HPV.
HPV is easily spread through skin contact, but it is not passed down in the DNA. So, HPV is not inherited. But, HPV infections can be common among family members and the virus can be spread from parent to child.