Can HPV be Transmitted by Kissing or Saliva?

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common sexually transmitted disease. Although its main form of transmission is through sexual intercourse, many people wonder if it can be spread through saliva or with a kiss. We will discuss this in detail.

Índice

1 Can you get HPV from kissing someone who has it?
2 Recommendations to prevent HPV
3 Ways HPV Spreads
4 What are the symptoms of oral HPV infection?
5 Which other sexually transmitted diseases can be spread through kissing?
6 Lastly… what should you do if you have HPV?

Can you get HPV from kissing someone who has it?

It is unlikely that you can get HPV through saliva or with a kiss. However, before knowing the probability of getting infected through saliva, it’s important to be clear about the different ways this virus is transmitted.

This condition occurs by skin-to-skin contact during sexual intercourse (anal, oral, or vaginal) with a carrier person, even if they are asymptomatic.

Therefore, the exchange of fluids during sexual intercourse and contact between mucous membranes with a person with HPV can infect you with the virus.

Since HPV can be spread through mucous membranes, the question arises as to whether it can be spread through saliva or kisses. To answer this question, several studies have been conducted, some denied it while others presented inconclusive results.

A study published in 2014 by Johns Hopkins University in the United States revealed that the risk of getting HPV through saliva or a kiss is 1.2%. The sample consisted of different couples, each with one carrier.

According to the data from this study, it is unlikely that a person will get infected through saliva or kisses. It is only possible in very few exceptions.

Although the probability is minimal, you should take the necessary preventive measures since there is the possibility of getting infected with a kiss, especially if it is deep.

Now, remember that the virus can be contracted by mouth contact with the genitals of a person carrying HPV. This oral infection can cause warts in the mouth/throat and even lead to oropharyngeal cancer.

Recommendations to prevent HPV

The possibility of getting HPV through saliva or kisses is very remote. But it can happen. Therefore, we recommend you consider the following to prevent it:

Women should have a gynecological check-up once a year. Men should regularly check for genital warts.
Avoid high-risk sexual practices.
Use a condom. You will avoid HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Keep in mind that they do not offer 100% protection.
In the case of oral sex, use oral latex barriers. This way, you can enjoy your relationship safely.
Learn about vaccines to prevent HPV. It protects against high-risk strains and prevents new infections, but it doesn’t work when you already have the virus.
Maintain a balanced diet that includes the consumption of foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants. In this way, you will increase your defenses and help your body fight the virus or any other condition.

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

Ways HPV Spreads

It’s important to be aware of the most common ways the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is transmitted:

Vaginal sex: When there’s vaginal penetration during sexual intercourse, there’s an exchange of fluids and contact between the mucous membranes. If either partner is infected with the virus, even without showing any symptoms, they can infect the other.
Anal sex: In addition to the contact between mucous membranes during anal penetration, there can be tears or small wounds in the anal region. In this case, the shared fluids will be the means of transmitting HPV.
Oral sex: This involves the mouth of one partner, who is healthy, coming into contact with the genital area of the other partner, who is infected with HPV.

Proper use of protective barriers, such as condoms, diaphragms, or latex barriers for oral sex, is the best way to prevent the spread of the disease.

What are the symptoms of oral HPV infection?

The significant issue with these types of infections is that they’re asymptomatic. A person can be infected and never show symptoms of the infection.

Remember, even if there aren’t any symptoms, the risk of transmitting the virus remains.

Many people who carry the virus never realize they have it and are active transmitters of HPV.

If there are a lot of symptoms, oropharyngeal cancer might be suspected. The warning signs and symptoms include:

Sharp, abnormal breathing sounds.
Coughing, which can sometimes be bloody.
Pain or discomfort when swallowing.
Persistent sore throat lasting more than 2 weeks that doesn’t improve even after taking antibiotics.
Hoarseness that doesn’t go away after 3 weeks.
There might be whitish lesions in the throat, around the tonsil area.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, pain and swelling in the jaw.
Unexplained weight loss.

However, these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have throat cancer.

So, if you’re suspicious, it’s essential to see a specialist, an otolaryngologist, who will order the necessary diagnostic tests.

Which other sexually transmitted diseases can be spread through kissing?

The risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases through kissing only exists for those with visible oral lesions.

There’s also a transmission risk if the infected person has an open wound in the mouth and there’s deep kissing or the other person also has a wound.

However, if the infected person only has lesions in the genital area but their mouth is healthy, kissing will not transmit the virus.

Keep in mind, as mentioned earlier, oral sex is a high-risk transmission route.

Diseases that can be transmitted this way include chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea.

Lastly… what should you do if you have HPV?