What Does HPV Look Like on the Tongue and Mouth?

HPV on the tongue or mouth is characterized by the presence of lesions or small internal whitish warts. In certain cases, these warts can be reddish or violet.

On the other hand, oral HPV can more frequently present warts on the lateral edge of the tongue. However, the lesions also appear towards the palate or even on the lips.

The means of transmission of oral HPV is also sexually transmitted, and oral sex significantly increases the risk of suffering from this infection. In more complicated cases, warts can appear in the throat and become painful.

If you have noticed that you have warts in the mouth or tongue or if you suspect their existence, the best thing you can do is see a doctor. The main risk of these lesions is the probability of developing a cancerous condition in the future.

Main symptoms of HPV in the mouth

Unlike HPV that causes common warts, the symptoms of oral HPV can be more distinctive and numerous.

Keep in mind that each case is different, but the main symptoms that are evident are:

Appearance of warts that are often whitish and can merge to the point of forming plaques.
Appearance of sores that can lodge on the inside of the cheeks, on the palate, or on the tongue.
Light red-colored lesions, in some cases they can be the same tone as the region where they sprout.
Difficulty swallowing, sore throat, and even hoarseness are other classic symptoms of oral HPV (especially in more complicated cases).
When lesions are more widespread in the oral cavity, symptoms such as coughing up blood or swollen glands in the throat or neck may be experienced.

Often, HPV in the mouth or throat is only diagnosed when the affected person has already experienced symptoms that affect their quality of life.

The tricky part is that when lesions are not treated, the risk of oropharyngeal cancer or mouth cancer increases. If you have identified with some of the previously described symptoms, it is important that you see a doctor.

How do I know if I have HPV on my tongue?

If you go to the doctor, you will be evaluated and receive a diagnosis. The specialist will visually assess your lesions in the throat or mouth and determine whether or not they are viral lesions.

Depending on the case, the doctor will perform a biopsy to determine if there is a high risk of cancerous alterations. Having oral HPV does not mean in all cases that cancer will develop, but it opens up this possibility.

How long does it take for HPV to appear on the tongue?

The average incubation period may vary, but after sexual contact, the virus can incubate for a few weeks or even months before finally manifesting symptoms.

Some people have HPV and do not show any symptoms. Being asymptomatic with high-risk strains can be a significant disadvantage.

For some, it is synonymous with reducing prevention, and this increases vulnerability to serious complications such as cancerous lesions and their consequences.

These were some tips to help you know how to deal with HPV. However, there is much more you need to do if you really want to get rid of HPV and warts forever.

What you need to do is GET RID OF THE ROOT of the problem.

For that reason, I recommend you to look into Dr. Kirkland's story and how he was able to cure HPV and get rid of warts for good.

Click here to see what he did

Which doctor looks at the human papillomavirus in the mouth?

A general practitioner might assess your symptoms and confirm that they are associated with the Human Papillomavirus.

On the other hand, a stomatologist can make a diagnosis, and even a dentist can see the lesions and suggest seeing a specialist for treatment.

How is HPV transmitted to the mouth?

The most common means of transmission of oral HPV is from oral sex when performed without any protection.

But contagion can also occur from a kiss between a healthy person and a person carrying the virus, known as horizontal transmission.

If there is a lesion in the mouth, such as a wound, the risk of infection increases. However, you should know that HPV is not transmitted through the bloodstream, but by skin-to-skin contact or in this case, through the mucous membranes.

What is the treatment to cure HPV in the mouth?

The good news is that there are some cases of oral HPV where the symptoms disappear after several weeks.

Why is this? It is related to the functions of the immune system, where there is an effective response to the viral attack. However, in immunosuppressed people, the situation becomes more complicated.

In these cases, the symptoms do not disappear, and it is necessary to resort to some type of treatment. Ways to remove warts in the mouth or throat range from elimination with the application of trichloroacetic acid to surgery.

Drugs like interferon alpha are often used to treat HPV in the mouth. In short, the doctor’s assessment is key to knowing which course of action to take to reduce symptoms.

Types of HPV and their oncogenic risk

There are more than 200 variants of HPV, some are low risk, and others are high risk. In addition to this, there are at least 24 strains of HPV that can produce lesions in the mouth caused by this virus.

According to some scientific studies, the high-risk HPV strains are the following: HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, and HPV 55.

HPV 16 is one of the most associated with the risk of cancer, such as throat cancer or oropharyngeal cancer.

How to achieve prevention of HPV in the tongue or mouth?

Doctors and sexologists suggest having safe sexual practices, using condoms even in oral sex.

On the other hand, avoiding risk behaviors such as having unprotected sexual interaction with more than one partner is of great importance. Dental care is also very useful.

Also, a key to prevention, not only of HPV but also of associated risks, is the administration of the HPV vaccine.

While it is true that its application is suggested in young people who have not started their sexual life, today its application is promoted in any person, and this is due to the wide variety of strains.

Lastly… what should you do if you have HPV?