What is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) refers to a group of more than 150 related viruses.
Many of these viruses are easily spread by sexual transmission through vaginal, oral and anal sex.
Some types of HPV may cause genital warts, while other types (usually types 16 and 18) are called high-risk because they may cause cancer.

HPV infections account for roughly 5% of all cancers worldwide. However, most infections with HPV go away within 1 to 2 years, have no symptoms and do not cause cancer.
Some HPV infections that persist for many years may increase a person’s risk of developing cancer.
HPV is a common cause of oropharyngeal cancer (cancers of the tongue base and tonsil) and currently accounts for the majority of new cases.
Smoking and alcohol use may also cause oropharyngeal cancer and account for most non-HPV related cases.
High-risk HPVs may also cause:
- virtually all cancers of the cervix
- most cancers of the anus
- some cancers of the vagina, vulva and penis.

HPV is transmitted to the mouth by oral sex; it may also be possible to get oral HPV in other ways such as oral-anal contact (rimming). HPV may also be transmitted from the vagina or penis to the mouth by fingers and sex toys.
Performing oral sex and having many oral sex partners can increase the chances of contracting an oral HPV infection.
Having oral HPV infection does not mean you or your partner have been promiscuous or unfaithful. HPV can lie dormant for many years.
It is not known exactly how long it takes from first becoming infected with oral HPV to developing cancer; however it is understood it takes many years and perhaps decades.

Four out of five people will have some kind of HPV infection somewhere in their body at some point in their lives.
Many people are exposed specifically to oral HPV during their lifetime.
It is estimated that at any given time 10% of men and 4% of women have oral HPV infection. Most of these are with low-risk types of HPV that do not cause cancer.
Most people are able to clear their infections on their own within 1 to 2 years, without ever knowing they had it.

Oral HPV infection is not transmitted by casual contact such as sharing drinks or kissing on the cheek. It is unknown if open-mouth kissing (i.e. French kissing) can transmit HPV.
You and your spouse/partner have likely already shared whatever infections you have. You do not need to change your sexual behaviour in established relationships.
Most patients with oropharyngeal cancer no longer have HPV detectable in their mouth and cannot transmit the infection. Even in patients that continue to have detectable oral HPV after treatment, this may not be infectious.
Although there is no increased risk of HPV infection in partners of patients with oropharyngeal cancer, protection with condoms when having casual sex to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) of any kind is recommended.

Patients with HPV in their oropharyngeal cancer have a better chance of cure than those with cancers due to other causes, like smoking. This is believed to be because HPV-positive cancers usually respond well to treatment.
Patients with HPV-positive cancers who also smoke tobacco or have smoked for a long time in the past have a lower chance of cure than patients who have never smoked. Patients who currently smoke should strongly consider quitting as this may improve their prognosis.

The only reliable way to prevent infection with HPV is to avoid sexual contact with others.
For those who are sexually active, the risk of HPV infection is very low in people who have only had one long-term partner.
Although use of condoms will not provide complete protection, research has shown that correct and consistent use does reduce the risk of sexual transmission between partners.
The HPV vaccine currently available in Australia is called Gardasil® (registered trademark of Merck & Co. Inc.)
- The vaccine prevents infection with high-risk HPV types 16, 18, 6 and 11.
- Having the vaccine will protect those who have never been exposed to these types of HPV.
- The vaccine is most effective if given to boys and girls before the start of sexual activity.
- The vaccine has been offered for free through school-based immunisation programs for boys and girls aged 12–15 years in Australia since 2007.

Your partner has likely been exposed to HPV already from yourself or previous partners. Despite this, they probably do not have oral HPV infection.
Partners of patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer do not have a higher risk of oral HPV infection or getting oropharyngeal cancer.
Partners of patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer may have slightly higher rates of other HPV-related cancers such as cervical, anal and penile cancer than the general population. But this is probably only because of the association between these cancers and having multiple sexual partners.
Women with oral HPV and female partners of patients with oral HPV should have the same regular cervical Pap smear screening as all other women. National guidelines recommend a Pap smear every 2 years for all women between the ages of 18–70 years who have ever had sex.
There are currently no screening guidelines for HPV-associated cancers of the head and neck that can be applied to your partner.
Some patients wonder if their spouse should get the HPV vaccine. It is likely that your spouse has already been exposed to HPV and would therefore probably not benefit from vaccination.