When you’re talking about sexually transmitted diseases, it can be hard to keep your facts straight. There are many different STDs a sexually active person can get and many other ways they can get them.
There is a lot of information about HPV out there and it can be difficult to know what to keep in mind – what is truth and what is fiction. And there can be many different questions about HPV, namely whether HPV can be transmitted by kissing.
Although the answer to this question may seem simple, it is not as simple as you think.
Continue reading to learn more.
Worried about STDs? Get tested at a sexual health clinic near you.
What is HPV infection?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is caused by a group of viruses that infect the skin or moist areas of the body.
There are more than 100 types of HPV, and a person can be infected with more than one type.
The symptoms of HPV
Depending on the type of HPV, people may or may not have symptoms. When symptoms occur they may include:
- Genital warts
- Common warts
- Plantar warts
- Flat Warts
Certain strains of HPV, known as high-risk HPV, have been linked to certain types of cancer, including cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, and anus.
How common is HPV?
HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that almost everyone will experience at some point. In the UK, more than 70% of unvaccinated people will get it.
Sexually active people are at particular risk, with almost all developing an infection at some stage, often without symptoms. In the UK, approximately 3.2% of women in the general population are estimated to have cervical HPV-16/18 infection at any given time.
HPV prevalence peaks between 25 and 29 before stabilizing or slightly decreasing.
How is HPV transmitted?
HPV is mainly transmitted through sexual contact. This includes vaginal, anal or oral sex.
It is important to note that HPV can be transmitted even when the infected person shows no signs or symptoms.
In addition to sexual intercourse, HPV transmission can also occur through any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area. This means that close physical contact during sex, even without penetration, can lead to transmission of the virus. Sharing sex toys is another potential route of transmission.
Finally, HPV can also be transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids, such as saliva. This means that activities such as kissing or hugging could potentially expose you to the virus. Some studies suggest that open-mouth kissing is associated with person-to-person spread of oral HPV, especially among men. Oral HPV can cause oropharyngeal cancer, a type of mouth and throat cancer.
So yes, you can get HPV from kissing.
It’s important to consider these factors when considering how to protect yourself and others from HPV.
Get tested for HPV at a sexual health clinic near you.
What other STDs can be transmitted through kissing?
While most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are transmitted through genital fluids or sexual intercourse, some can be transmitted through kissing or other contact with oral fluids or wounds. Here are some STDs that can be transmitted through kissing:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV): Both versions of herpes, HSV-1 and HSV-2, can be transmitted through kissing, especially when someone has an active infection or symptoms such as mouth sores. Most people with cold sores have an HSV-1 infection, which causes sores, painful blisters, or ulcers to form in, on, or around the mouth or lips.
- Syphilis: Syphilis, a bacterial infection, can cause welts in your mouth that can spread the bacteria through kissing. Oral syphilis infections are usually contracted through oral sex on a person with genital syphilis infection.
- Gonorrhea: The bacteria that cause gonorrhea infections can also be spread through kissing, although this is quite rare. A study found that deep kissing, particularly between men who have sex with men, was associated with the transmission of oral thrush infections.
Should I be worried about HPV?
HPV is incredibly common and most people will have an HPV infection at some point in their lives. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
If you haven’t already, you should get an HPV vaccination. Doing so will prevent you from getting certain strains of the virus that can cause Genital Warts and cervical cancer.
You can also further reduce your risk of contracting HPV by practicing safer sex. Using barrier methods like condoms will reduce your chance of getting the virus or passing it on to someone else.
Do I need to have an exam?
It’s always a good idea to get tested. Better2Know offers several home test kits that will allow you to test from the comfort of your own home.
The Genital Wart Home Test Kit allows people with genital warts to test for HPV using a simple swab sample. This test will detect 6 low-risk strains of HPV that commonly cause genital warts.
Women can also use the HPV Vaginal Swab Home Test Kit to test for high-risk strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.
Final thoughts
If you are concerned about HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases, you should get tested. Click the button below to schedule an STD screening at a sexual health clinic near you.
