Aa
Oral Warts
My situation and concerns:
I was diagnosed with genital warts around 7 months ago and have had some trouble with recurrence, though the outbreaks have thus far been fairly minimal. Recently I have noticed bumps on my lateral tongue and the very meeting point of the hard and soft palate. These bumps are not unusually colored, and have a smooth, raised surface (though one seems bumpier than the others). When I visited my University's health center several days ago, I asked about the possibility of oral warts and (after the clinician looked briefly in my mouth) was told not to 'lose sleep over it'. Please forgive my continued questioning - after I requested during a routine gynecologist exam to be checked for genital warts after noticing small abnormalities in the area, I was also instructed not to worry. I persisted in my worrying, however, and was diagnosed with genital warts only two weeks later. Though I know oral warts are rare in persons without compromised immune systems, I found through my research that oral warts are becoming increasingly common in individuals suffering from HIV and AIDS. I do not have HIV, but I am concerned with the rising prevalence of oral warts in this community, and the possible implications for my own case.
My questions:
Is there evidence that oral warts are becoming more common in the general population? Are there available statistics on the non-HIV positive population with oral warts? How contagious are oral warts compared to warts on the genitals? I have read conflicting accounts of whether HPV is life-long or if the immune system clears the body of HPV after a period of 6 months to several years. Do you have any thoughts on the subject? And, most pertinent to my situation, would you recommend making an appointment with my dentist to discuss these bumps? I realize that the oral cavity has many normal lumps and bumps, but I am concerned nevertheless.
Thank you in advance for your help, Doctor. This website is truly an invaluable resource.
I was diagnosed with genital warts around 7 months ago and have had some trouble with recurrence, though the outbreaks have thus far been fairly minimal. Recently I have noticed bumps on my lateral tongue and the very meeting point of the hard and soft palate. These bumps are not unusually colored, and have a smooth, raised surface (though one seems bumpier than the others). When I visited my University's health center several days ago, I asked about the possibility of oral warts and (after the clinician looked briefly in my mouth) was told not to 'lose sleep over it'. Please forgive my continued questioning - after I requested during a routine gynecologist exam to be checked for genital warts after noticing small abnormalities in the area, I was also instructed not to worry. I persisted in my worrying, however, and was diagnosed with genital warts only two weeks later. Though I know oral warts are rare in persons without compromised immune systems, I found through my research that oral warts are becoming increasingly common in individuals suffering from HIV and AIDS. I do not have HIV, but I am concerned with the rising prevalence of oral warts in this community, and the possible implications for my own case.
My questions:
Is there evidence that oral warts are becoming more common in the general population? Are there available statistics on the non-HIV positive population with oral warts? How contagious are oral warts compared to warts on the genitals? I have read conflicting accounts of whether HPV is life-long or if the immune system clears the body of HPV after a period of 6 months to several years. Do you have any thoughts on the subject? And, most pertinent to my situation, would you recommend making an appointment with my dentist to discuss these bumps? I realize that the oral cavity has many normal lumps and bumps, but I am concerned nevertheless.
Thank you in advance for your help, Doctor. This website is truly an invaluable resource.
My only comment to your post is, I'd never assume your body has cleared the virus.
I am not a medical professional, however I do have first hand experience with the virus. I contracted a low-risk strain of hpv in 1992. It recurred in 1995 or 96 in a very minor way. I didn't see it for 16 or 17 years, then out of nowhere, it appeared.
I had a doctor (gyn) tell me 6 years ago (after being clear 10+ years) that it wouldn't come back & that my body had cleared the virus. He was obviously wrong. I have had no close physical contact with anyone in the last several years, so I know I haven't been exposed to a different strain. This is definitely a recurrence.
I am not a medical professional, however I do have first hand experience with the virus. I contracted a low-risk strain of hpv in 1992. It recurred in 1995 or 96 in a very minor way. I didn't see it for 16 or 17 years, then out of nowhere, it appeared.
I had a doctor (gyn) tell me 6 years ago (after being clear 10+ years) that it wouldn't come back & that my body had cleared the virus. He was obviously wrong. I have had no close physical contact with anyone in the last several years, so I know I haven't been exposed to a different strain. This is definitely a recurrence.
this is not doctors forum.to right of this post see Experts forum-std's....go to this pay $15 and post this question.
You are reading content posted in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
