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Can HPV Be Contracted Through Oral Sex?
Question: I am female and have a couple questions.
Over a year ago (stopped seeing this person in September of 2015), I dated someone who had active genital warts. We never had sex because of this. Before I knew he actually had warts (he first just told me HPV), we hooked up, but all we did was mutually masturbate and he gave me oral sex. I do believe his bare penis "poked" me toward the bottom of my vaginal area near my anus for maybe a second.
After I knew he had warts, I tried to make sure that when we mutually masturbated with each other, that I did not touch myself after touching him and vice versa.
From what I have read, and I have read a lot, this type of activity is pretty low risk.
I waited around 3-6 months to have actual penis-in-vagina intercourse with anyone else.
I have never informed a partner of my potential infection, because I have not shown symptoms and it seemed like two little of a possibility.
It should be mentioned that I have OCD. It is hard for me to know if my anxiety is a normal level of worrying or if it is excessive.
I'm now in a more serious relationship. Is this something I should mention?
On another note and even before the encounter I described above, I once had a couple of bumps when being examined and my PA thought it could possibly be molluscum. She wasn't sure, so I scheduled another appointment with a doctor the next day. That doctor wasn't sure either. She thought they could just be ingrown hairs or molluscum and I remember her even saying it could be HPV, but she couldn't tell for sure. I had her freeze them off because I am very paranoid. She never offered to do a biopsy. I asked her at the time if I needed to inform future partners and she told me no. Was that the right advice? I actually did inform my current partner about this instance. I had totally forgotten that she had mentioned HPV and recently remembered and felt like I should say something even though I was told I didn't need to.
Anyway, I'm mostly trying to make sure I don't need to disclose the instance I described at the beginning of this. I really don't think I do. It's been over a year and we never even had sex. But my head is spinning about it. It's not that I'm ever trying to be dishonest. I don't disclose it because I think my anxiety makes more out of the situation than warranted. I decided to submit a question because I have read so many things and they don't really apply to my situation.
Over a year ago (stopped seeing this person in September of 2015), I dated someone who had active genital warts. We never had sex because of this. Before I knew he actually had warts (he first just told me HPV), we hooked up, but all we did was mutually masturbate and he gave me oral sex. I do believe his bare penis "poked" me toward the bottom of my vaginal area near my anus for maybe a second.
After I knew he had warts, I tried to make sure that when we mutually masturbated with each other, that I did not touch myself after touching him and vice versa.
From what I have read, and I have read a lot, this type of activity is pretty low risk.
I waited around 3-6 months to have actual penis-in-vagina intercourse with anyone else.
I have never informed a partner of my potential infection, because I have not shown symptoms and it seemed like two little of a possibility.
It should be mentioned that I have OCD. It is hard for me to know if my anxiety is a normal level of worrying or if it is excessive.
I'm now in a more serious relationship. Is this something I should mention?
On another note and even before the encounter I described above, I once had a couple of bumps when being examined and my PA thought it could possibly be molluscum. She wasn't sure, so I scheduled another appointment with a doctor the next day. That doctor wasn't sure either. She thought they could just be ingrown hairs or molluscum and I remember her even saying it could be HPV, but she couldn't tell for sure. I had her freeze them off because I am very paranoid. She never offered to do a biopsy. I asked her at the time if I needed to inform future partners and she told me no. Was that the right advice? I actually did inform my current partner about this instance. I had totally forgotten that she had mentioned HPV and recently remembered and felt like I should say something even though I was told I didn't need to.
Anyway, I'm mostly trying to make sure I don't need to disclose the instance I described at the beginning of this. I really don't think I do. It's been over a year and we never even had sex. But my head is spinning about it. It's not that I'm ever trying to be dishonest. I don't disclose it because I think my anxiety makes more out of the situation than warranted. I decided to submit a question because I have read so many things and they don't really apply to my situation.
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
I have gone through your query and understood the concern. I would like to offer some observations and suggestions:
1. The whole problem seems to be revolving around the obsession that you may have contracted HPV. This obsession should be relieved first either through counselling or medication.
2. If you have a contagious genital infection, you shoud definitely inform your partner early enough. Trust is the base of any relationship.
3. Before you disclose your infection, you should confirm the same by a proper clinical evaluation and investigation. If you are negative, you need not say anything about it.
4. Since you are in a serious relationship and have already discussed with your partner, I don't think you need to worry about anything.
Hope I have answered your query. Please feel free to contact for further clarification. I will be happy to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
I have gone through your query and understood the concern. I would like to offer some observations and suggestions:
1. The whole problem seems to be revolving around the obsession that you may have contracted HPV. This obsession should be relieved first either through counselling or medication.
2. If you have a contagious genital infection, you shoud definitely inform your partner early enough. Trust is the base of any relationship.
3. Before you disclose your infection, you should confirm the same by a proper clinical evaluation and investigation. If you are negative, you need not say anything about it.
4. Since you are in a serious relationship and have already discussed with your partner, I don't think you need to worry about anything.
Hope I have answered your query. Please feel free to contact for further clarification. I will be happy to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
I am on medication and seeing a psychiatrist soon to hopefully get some more meds to calm down my anxiety attacks. My obsessions change themes and this seems to be the theme currently.
I have been to the doctor several times over the last few weeks. Once for my pap/annual, another because I thought I saw a bump, and another to get the bump checked by a more informed doctor. I try to not self-check often because of my OCD. I seem to be prone to vaginal skin tags, so this causes even more anxiety. The last time I went to the doctor, she magnified the area and said there was nothing that she thought needed to be biopsied. So I was not diagnosed with anything then.
Mostly, I just wasn't sure If I am obligated to say that I had some kind of sexual contact with someone that had an active HPV infection over a year ago, or if I'm fine since I have not received that diagnosis.
Thank you, I fully realize this is probably my OCD talking.
I have been to the doctor several times over the last few weeks. Once for my pap/annual, another because I thought I saw a bump, and another to get the bump checked by a more informed doctor. I try to not self-check often because of my OCD. I seem to be prone to vaginal skin tags, so this causes even more anxiety. The last time I went to the doctor, she magnified the area and said there was nothing that she thought needed to be biopsied. So I was not diagnosed with anything then.
Mostly, I just wasn't sure If I am obligated to say that I had some kind of sexual contact with someone that had an active HPV infection over a year ago, or if I'm fine since I have not received that diagnosis.
Thank you, I fully realize this is probably my OCD talking.
Brief Answer:
You can stay assured.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back.
I feel you can stay assured since you have not been diagnosed with any pathology. Please continue with your annual check up unless you have any significant symptoms in between.
If you contracted HPV, you would have shown it in tests by now. This means you are safe.
Please feel free to contact for further information. I will be ready to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
You can stay assured.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back.
I feel you can stay assured since you have not been diagnosed with any pathology. Please continue with your annual check up unless you have any significant symptoms in between.
If you contracted HPV, you would have shown it in tests by now. This means you are safe.
Please feel free to contact for further information. I will be ready to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What about the HPV strains that cause warts? I don't believe those necessarily would show up on my pap. And that's what I am worried about since the
Person that I dated had active warts (I never saw them, but he said he and his ex got them).
I do feel better after what you have said. I apologize for the string of questions, but I very much appreciate your help.
Person that I dated had active warts (I never saw them, but he said he and his ex got them).
I do feel better after what you have said. I apologize for the string of questions, but I very much appreciate your help.
Brief Answer:
Can be detected with DNA tests.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing again.
It is true that the viral strains may not be detected on a routine pap smear. The FDA approved some DNA tests in recent years that help in detection of the strains. You can get the tests.
Also, the viral strains that cause genital warts are different from those that cause cancer.
The most common routes of entry are anal and vaginal intercourse.
Improvement of the general condition, improvement of immunity, use of condoms or total abstinence are some methods of management of the condition.
Most of the time the infection is self-limiting. So, do not worry even if you have any infection. It does not harm in the majority cases.
Hope this helps.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Can be detected with DNA tests.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing again.
It is true that the viral strains may not be detected on a routine pap smear. The FDA approved some DNA tests in recent years that help in detection of the strains. You can get the tests.
Also, the viral strains that cause genital warts are different from those that cause cancer.
The most common routes of entry are anal and vaginal intercourse.
Improvement of the general condition, improvement of immunity, use of condoms or total abstinence are some methods of management of the condition.
Most of the time the infection is self-limiting. So, do not worry even if you have any infection. It does not harm in the majority cases.
Hope this helps.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
I have looked around on the internet and cannot find any information about a DNA test that would show HPV-6 or HPV-11 (wart causing strains). Could you tell me the name of the test?
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing again.
The DNA tests that have been approved by the FDA are few. The cobas HPV test from Roche, the Hybrid Capture 2 test and HPV onco test are some names. You can check Wikipedia page for further information.
Hope this helps.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing again.
The DNA tests that have been approved by the FDA are few. The cobas HPV test from Roche, the Hybrid Capture 2 test and HPV onco test are some names. You can check Wikipedia page for further information.
Hope this helps.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
But none of those tests test for HPV-6 or 11.
Also, I know that the virus does not cause real harm, but I wouldn't want to unknowingly give it to someone. Is there anything I can actually do to know if I have the wart-causing strains?
Also, I know that the virus does not cause real harm, but I wouldn't want to unknowingly give it to someone. Is there anything I can actually do to know if I have the wart-causing strains?
Brief Answer:
To detect the strain, DNA test is the option.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing back.
I gave you the names of a couple of tests. Some DNA tests can detect many strains.
Pubic hair and perianal hair can be collected and tested for strains. Usually, genital warts develop 2-3 months after the infection.
An infection, once contracted, cannot be eradicated completely, but specific treatment can be given to the warts. The Mayo clinic is offering drug trials for specific treatment.
As I mentioned earlier, restricting the number of sexual partners, use of condoms, avoiding smoking and improving the immunity help to control the infection and avoid spread.
Colposcopy can be done to assess the situation. Specific unhealthy areas if any, can be sampled after testing with acetic acid.
I can understand your concern, but, please be assured that you are safe. You did not develop any symptoms nor did you test positive so far. Just relax and enjoy your life. Use barrier methods​ to help future contamination.
Hope this helps.
Wish you good health.
regards,
Shanti.V.
To detect the strain, DNA test is the option.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing back.
I gave you the names of a couple of tests. Some DNA tests can detect many strains.
Pubic hair and perianal hair can be collected and tested for strains. Usually, genital warts develop 2-3 months after the infection.
An infection, once contracted, cannot be eradicated completely, but specific treatment can be given to the warts. The Mayo clinic is offering drug trials for specific treatment.
As I mentioned earlier, restricting the number of sexual partners, use of condoms, avoiding smoking and improving the immunity help to control the infection and avoid spread.
Colposcopy can be done to assess the situation. Specific unhealthy areas if any, can be sampled after testing with acetic acid.
I can understand your concern, but, please be assured that you are safe. You did not develop any symptoms nor did you test positive so far. Just relax and enjoy your life. Use barrier methods​ to help future contamination.
Hope this helps.
Wish you good health.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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