Human papillomavirus (HPV) ; Causes, Symptoms, Prevention & More

Oral HPV Infection

The prevalence of oral HPV infection is lower than genital HPV infection. HPV can cause oropharyngeal cancer by infecting the mouth and throat. HPV is considered the root cause of 70% of oropharyngeal cancer in the United States.

Most people can be exposed to HPV infection in their life span. Approximately 10% of men and 3.6% of women in the U.S. are infected with oral HPV. HPV infection can be persisted in some people, but oral HPV infection can be cleared within one to two years.

Symptoms of Oral HPV Cancer

The symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer include:

• Sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Earaches
• Pain when eating or drinking
• Weight loss
• Oropharyngeal cancer may be asymptomatic. If you notice the symptoms, don’t worry and consult your health care professional as soon as possible