Oral infection
A review of scientific studies in healthy subjects has found carcinogenic HPV in 3.5% of the studies subjects and HPV16 in 1.3%.[65] Men have higher prevalence of oral HPV than women.[9]
Oral HPV infection is associated with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer. Odds of oral HPV infection increases with the number of recent oral sex partners or open-mouthed kissing partners.[66]Nonsexual oral infection through salivary or cross transmission is also plausible
Throat cancer
In recent years, the United States has experienced an increase in the number of cases of throat cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) Type 16. Throat cancers associated with HPV have been estimated to have increased from 0.8 cases per 100,000 people in 1988 to 2.6 per 100,000 in 2004.[88] Researchers explain this recent data by an increase in oral sex. Moreover, findings indicate this type of cancer is much more prevalent in men than in women, something that needs to be further explored.[89] Currently, two immunizations, Gardasil and Cervarix, are recommended to girls to prevent HPV related cervical cancer but not as a precaution against HPV related throat cancer.
Treatment
There is currently no specific treatment for HPV infection.[1][72][79] However, the viral infection, more often than not, clears by itself.[80] According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the body’s immune system clears HPV naturally within two years for 90% of cases.[1] However, experts do not agree on whether the virus is completely eliminated or reduced to undetectable levels, and it is difficult to know when it is contagious.[
