Kissing

[lh4523]

I know this is a silly question, but I am a bit paranoid and OCD.  Am I correct in assuming that the only way to transmit a STD through kissing is by direct contact from a sore in their mouth touching an open sore mine?  If only one person has a sore, is the other at risk?  Also, what are the chances of transmitting STD's this way?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Oral herpes can of course be transmitted by kissing; that's the usual way it is passed.  But oral herpes isn't classified as an STD, unless/until transmitted to the genitals by oral sex.  Syphilis in theory can be transmitted by kissing, but that's very rare.  No other STD is ever transmitted by kissing, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV/warts, HSV-2, hepatitis, HIV,  or anything else.

Most sores in the mouth are canker sores, not due to any STD and not transmissible to other people.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I didn't mean to sound so harsh.  Context is everything, and so many questions on this forum come from people who are looking for reassurance about common-sense things that they actually already know.  In any case, you asked about kissing and then oral sex.  This is the first time you have mentioned sharing ice cream.  There are no data, but the risk undoubtedly is very low.  However, it may not be zero and it makes sense to avoid sharing ice cream until your wart clears up.  (Sharing ice cream isn't smart any way, especially with a young child.  It's a very efficient way to catch a cold and other childhood illnesses.)

HHH, MD

[lh4523]

Thanks for your help and advice, other websites just try to scare you I think, and even though I had no symptoms, I was worried about STD's that are transmitted via kissing.  About syphilis though, is the only way it is contracted through direct contact with a syphilis sore?

[Aussie5]

Sorry Doc, I hope what I asked wasnt stupid. If you can answer mine, I would greatly appreciate it, as I am so very worried.Understand if its deleted also.

Is there any risk/chance that I could spread this from sharing icecreams/drinks etc? I often do with family members/friends etc and would stop any sharing immediately if there is a risk.

[tomwaites]

A related discussion, Sex with Prostitute was started.

[jezzie]

You might want to see an Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor or possibly an Oral Surgeon.  Even though your wart may have been obtained by sexual contact, the mouth is much different than the genital region and STD Doctors focus more on the genital area.  Just a thought...best of luck.

[Aussie5]

Thankyou for answering my question Doc. There is just so little info on warts in mouth as it is so rare, so basically was searching for what risk I pose to others. I have alot of respect for what you do, I am only 17 and can see paranoia overload on here. Thanks again.

J - I was not born with this, and I also do not have the Aids Virus. I have looked on the rrp website. I really would like to find out if getting a wart in your mouth from oral sex means I have rrp or if there is a difference.

I will keep posted on what happens with my doc, thanks for caring.

[Aussie5]

Im a 17 year old female, I apologise if I sound stupid but some things are not 100% obvious when you just find out,so I have no idea what I should assume. I would not have asked otherwise. All I wanted to know was if sharing an icecream with my little sister could make her at risk to getting a wart in her mouth from mine. Thankyou for providing this forum for people, I didnt mean to waste your time.

[jezzie]

Can you post a follow-up to your situation and let us know how things turn out.  You are the first person I have ever heard of first hand that has acquired HPV/warts orally.  I know many on this site would be intrested in what you do find out from your healthcare provider.  Do they treat the wart or just wait for it to disappear?  Do you only have one?  I am sorry to ask such questions but it is so helpful to exchange information for those that have past or current genital HPV infections, it might help eliminate transmission risk.  I know Dr. HHH said he has only seen a few cases in 30 years and has only seen them with people with HIV/AIDS.  I'm sure it's hard being 17 and diagnosed with this confusing virus.  I know ultimately, you will find this site very helpful.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Sigh.  Didn't you see my previous reply to your follow-up message?  "Warts and HPV are uncommon in the mouth, but if someone has a wart in the mouth, I'm sure that person could transmit HPV to others by kissing."  The only reason my response mentioned kissing is that's what this entire threads is (or once was) about.  Isn't it 100% obvious that this would also apply to oral-genital transmission?

It's lucky you didn't get in with that question as a new thread.  I would have deleted it without response.

For what it's worth, the times at which the MedHelp forums open for new questions vary randomly throughout a 24 hour day, in order to keep it fair for questioners in all time zones worldwide.

This really IS my last response in this thread.

HHH, MD

[Aussie5]

I do try to post directly to the doc, but I can never get through. I understand and have read oral warts are rare, I guess that places me in that category? HPV is 'common', the small percentage that get warts are at times considered 'rare' and Im in that category too. I will get a second opinion, thanks, however my doctor had said he has seen a few cases himself. I guess they just are not reported I dont know. I dont know much myself and am trying to do my best to find out, its a shame accurate information is so hard to find. As for partners not spreading it orally, I guess some are blessed with good immune systems?

[jezzie]

You may want to get a second opinion or post a question directly to the doctor.  It is my understanding that it is extremely rare to get warts in your mouth from genital warts and oral contact.  The only exception is usually those that have compromised immune systesm due to HIV/AIDS and infants born to mothers that may be infected at the time of deliver.  Even then, there are only like 20,000 cases total in the US.  It may be another strain entirely different.  Many couples that share HPV/warts never have any transmission from oral sex.  You can visit rrpf.org, they explain the transmission.  I know many on this forum are very interested in the possibility of oral transmission.  Did your partner have visable warts at the time?

[Aussie5]

Sorry I am having trouble trying to get any questions into the main post as we are always behind in time.

Just have one other question, If having a wart in my mouth can be spread through kissing, can I then transmit this by giving oral to genitals? I am not in a relationship and would not wont to spread it to a new partner.

Thanks

[lh4523]

I'm sure that you've answered this, but the only way to get Syphilis is from the organism getting in the skin, not on it, correct?  If someone ejaculated on your skin (hand/chest), this wouldn't put you at risk for an std unless there was an open wound, correct?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You may not post a new thread when a comment in a previous one is more appropriate.  I deleted it.  I did not answer your follow-up question because it is too ridiculous to be worth my time.  Of course no STD can be transmitted by skin contact with semen.

This is my last comment on this thread, period.  And as I said before, have that OCD looked at.  I suggest it out of compassion, not criticism.

HHH, MD

[Aussie5]

I have genital warts also. I also gave oral to the person who I got them from. Unless the person had them in his mouth aswell and transferred them that way I'll never know.

Doc can I ask, is there any risk/chance that I could spread this from sharing icecreams/drinks etc? I often do with family members/friends etc and would stop any sharing immediately if there is a risk.

Thanks

[jezzie]

Who diagnosed your wart in your mouth?  Do you know if it was obtained sexually or otherwise?   Just curious....

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Yes about direct contact with a syphilis lesion.  The organism must be rubbed into the skin; light contact is unlikely to transmit infection.

Aussie5, there are exceptions to every rule. Warts and HPV are uncommon in the mouth, but if someone has a wart in the mouth, I'm sure that person could transmit HPV to others by kissing.

HHH, MD

[lh4523]

Sorry to ask again, but just to be clear, ejaculation on the skin (hand/chest) would not transmit an std such as syphilis, only direct contact with the sore and an open cut or would.

[Aussie5]

Hi Doc,

Am a little confused on the info you just gave. I have a wart under my tongue. My doctor at the Sexual Health Clinic I attend has told me I can transmit this via kissing. Is this true?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It's too low risk to worry about. See your provider about that OCD.

HHH, MD

[lh4523]

Does that mean that you don't have to have a sore in the mouth to obtain syphilis from someone if they have it- you can get it just by kissing?  Or do you have to have direct contact with a syphilis sore to contract the disease?