It is possible that you got it but I wouldn't stress yet. It's also cold and flu season. Do you also have asthma? I have started getting sore throats in recent years that last and last. Turns out it's from my asthma meds. I also have post nasal drip. Or, do you have seasonal allergies? The last year or so has been the worst its ever been for me and many others are reporting the same (with their allergies). It makes my sinues problems and therefore post nasal drip way worse.

That said HPV can clear. Mine cleared after longer than two years, about three years. There is some argument between doctors if it actually clears or if it goes dormant. But all of my doctors have so far agreed that it can clear. My gyno said it can clear. She also told me to tell my fiance in the miniscule chance he has weird swallowing problems to go to the doctor ASAP. But even still you shouldn't stress because guess what? MANY if not MOST women get this virus and clear it in their lifetime. For her it will show up in the annual pap smear and I'm not sure what test is available for men yet. So, no need to limit your sex life yet.

I should have said yet if at all. Its a good idea to go to the doctor so you don't stress yourself sick and to get the specific medical information from your doc. But in the meantime try to relax and I know it's easier said than done.

thanks for the reply!

I wanted to share some info in case anyone (now or future) have a similar concern. I did some research (because I was going a little bit crazy) and I found a study that shows for men exposed to HPV type 16 (which causes a lot of the oral cancers), about 50% of men cleared it from their system within a year (median clearance time is 6.3 months). Doctors can argue if you truly get rid of it, but even if you are in that thought camp, it does appear the immune system can fight it off at least temporarily and perhaps permanently. I guess the main takeaway is to build healthy habits for your immune system to give yourself the best chance of fighting it. Also, probably good to quit smoking if you smoke.

http://www.2minutemedicine.com/low-incidence-and-high-clearance-of-oral-hpv-infections-in-men/


I went to the ENT and asked a few questions. One tough thing about HPV is that there is no standard test they give for it in the throat (at least in USA). I think in research they have several tests that can identify it in oral region, but I guess for the general public purchasing healthcare, it's not a standard test they do (maybe insurance companies determine that they won't pay for it?). (Pap smear for women is standard test). The Doctor said they biopsy it if it turns into something (growth, tumor, etc) to see if HPV related.

For now, I'm worrying less (the article above helped give me a lot of hope) and just trying to be as healthy as I can be with diet and rest. When my fatigue clears up, I'll also try to start exercising more. I hope I am in the 50% group that clear it within a year, but I guess there is no point in worrying about it. I just need to rest and take care of my health in the most positive way possible and let my immune system do its thing.

I have inflammation and swelling at the base of the tongue and tonsils. basically, right where high risk hpv hits the throat area. i believe the girl i got it from has high risk hpv and i got it from oral sex. she won't tell me definitely because she's scared i'll leave, but i said i won't. it's been going on for a couple weeks. I'm trying to be positive. I truly believe i have it, tho there is no definitive test.

i can't sleep which is affecting my immune system. (though i am doing a good job of eating healthy and everything else, just can't sleep). i'm scared. for my health, that i will be alone. just can't deal with it. feeling borderline suicidal.

rduNC have you looked into any kinds of treatment that would help to boost your immune system? Did the ENT prescribe anything for the swelling? I hope that you don't have anything worse than a sore throat and that it is just taking a little while to clear up, it is that time of year after all. You might try making some warm tea with local honey. Honey is antibacterial and can help reduce the swelling and inflammation that comes with a sore throat.

Sorrybfor typos.

Red velvet - thanks for letting me know your hpv cleared. Just curious if you knew what strain? 16?

I wonder why your doctor told your fiance to go to doctor asap. It seems that doctors can only look at it and if it is a growth or tumor, they schedule a surgury to remove it. Otherwise, from what I've been told and read on many legitimate sites, there really isn't a treatment for hpv in throat other than try to boost immune system

Using phone today. Doctor ran a couple cultures for chlymedia (sp?) And gonorhea (waiting for results).. Then gave me an antibiotic for chlymedia. I just completed the antibiotic. Things have improved but it's still there. I dont think i have a seasonal sore throat. I don't have congestion, fever, or the other symptoms you'd normally see.

Ive been trying to eat clean foods to boost my immune system. (Lots of veges broccoli cauliflower. Juicing oranges and grapefruits. Also making vege juices (cabbage carrots celery apple). tho my biggest challenge has been lack of sleep.

Sorry for multiple replies. Phone is acting up.

Doctor also stuck a tube down my throat and there was swelling and some odd cells at the base of the tongue and swollen tonsils.


I'm so curious to hear if anyone has had similar symptoms as i and then it eventually went away? From what ive read, the persistent infection is what increases chance for cancer. Also many websites say most ppl dont show symptoms or clear it. For me, it seems symptoms came pretty quickly (2-3 weeks from potential exposure from woman) and while its gotten better (from a bad place) it is still lingering after

My phone cant handle large messages. Continuing from previos.

Lingering for 3rd week. Add feels like lump in throat to symptoms.

Most info out there is hpv for women in cervix region. I really want to talk with someone who has had it in mouth and discuss their experience.

The uncertainty is the scariest part. From symptoms seems like i have high risk hpv in throat but there is no definitive test ubless i get tumor and they biopsy. Also it may clear on own or eventually turn into cancer. Also hard to ignore i have it when constantly feel lump in throat and feel it when swallowing. Make matters worse i love to sing to find peace and be calm but i cant and that makes me more depressed. :( scared for what this means for my singing. Anyways, i hope this isnt too negative but it does feel good to say my concerns at least.

Latest update. Thought I would post my experience in case others can relate (now or in the future).

It's about 4 weeks since I first started to have symptoms and about 2 months since oral sex. Throat is still irritated, tonsils still swollen. At times (usually at night), I feel a tingling in my throat that is irritating. It also feels like it moves slowly to different parts of my throat (like it is moving and not in one constant location - one tonsil, then the other side, deep in throat). However, things have slightly improved. I don't feel a lump in my throat anymore (or when I do, it's not as noticeable as before).

Last week, I stocked up on multi-vitamin, B vitamins (has both B12 and folic acid), C vitamins (1000mg per day). Been taking them everyday, along with cooking a lot of veges (broccoli/cauliflower - I read these are great for immune system and hpv in general). Almost every meal, I eat some of it and my throat and body temporarily feels better and the symptoms lessen for a while. I already stay away from junk food, fast food, sugar, etc (changed diet while back for other reasons). Just really adding much more consistent veges and vitamin pills.

Last week, the doctor had me have an ultrasound on my thyroid (because in our first appointment, he thought it was swollen). Thyroid came back fine, but my lymph nodes in my neck were quite swollen - which I understand happens when you get sick or have a virus you are fighting. I'm going to have a biospy on that in about a week (have to be out of town next week and that was earliest appointment). That's not an HPV related test, just a medical test for when your lymph nodes are really swollen to check for other potential problems.

Went back to the same ENT doctor today. He stuck the same scope through my nose and down my throat. It seems the coloration of the skin looks better (more pinkish, not as red), but I still have swollen tonsils. I can swallow without much discomfort at all.

When I asked him what he thought it could be, he couldn't say.

When I asked him what could we rule out, he thought we could rule out a bacterial problem (had 1 week of antibiotics for chylamidia, which after the 4th day started to improve things, but after taking all 7 days of antibiotics, still had symptoms).

When I asked if it was viral, he said 'probably 'because of how my lymph nodes have been swollen (responding to a potential virus).

When I asked him about HPV, he basically just said he thinks I shouldn't worry about it. When I asked him if there was a test for cancer causing strain, he said it would have to be a biospy, but he wouldn't recommend it. He then said, it wouldn't change treatment. I think this is the frustrating thing. Part of me is scared that I have cancer causing HPV (based on my symptoms and what i've read) and want to know, but the other part of me is scared to know that's what I have. I didn't have any tests done today.

He also said it is flu/cold season and I may have picked up a bug (though I don't have fever or any congestion, runny nose, sinus issues).

I asked about what if my tonsils are still swollen weeks/months from now, he said we could look at a tonsilectomy (removal of tonsils), but he said there are other potential complications from that and he doesn't recommend it now (or potentially weeks from now).

I also got results back from a full std panel (chylamedia, gonorrhea, syphillis, herpes I/II, hep, hiv [both early detection and antibody) and all came back negative.

I think the frustrating thing is not knowing. I guess for now, it's just rest, try to relax/not think about it, eat right and take care of myself. Hopefully, in time, my throat goes back to normal. It seems the doctor doesn't have anything to do unless stronger symptoms come (sore throat and swollen tonsils are just something they don't treat after a round of antibiotics).

It could be what I fear and it could not be. I guess it's just a waiting game to see what time brings. It's hard to not know when you've had 4 weeks of swollen tonsils, lump in throat, swollen lymph nodes, no sinus or congestion, it most closely matches up with symptoms of hpv ... my mind rationally wants to conclude "that's what it is" ... at the same time scared to know that is what it is ... it's hard to just not know.

Regardless, I don't think I will want to give oral sex to a lady for a while now without a dental dam. Might be overkill, but rather be safe (for her and for me).

Hi rduNC,

I have pretty much the same symptoms and feelings that you have had in this thread. Thank you so much for all the detail and descriptions you have made. I went to my doctor and had similar throat cultures and tests done, all came out negative. All I'm doing now is taking multivitamins, exercising, and getting as much sleep as I can. I would love to hear how you are doing now.

Thanks again for the time you've put into this and hopefully we can get in touch. Hope all is well.

Hi
I have been going thru the same issues myself.from the past 9 months.first had a cyst on my tongue tht i got removed twice and the third time thank god it vanished with a a tube called konacort.the first biopsey showed it as a papiloma and the next one as pyogenic granuloma.
So first time it showed HPV.
Also simultaneously developed a vocal cord hemmorage and bad sore throat.although hemmorage has been healed but the lump in throat feeling and burning sensatiin in throat and ear isnt going..i have diffculty swallwing food and talking.like the worst sore throat from the last 9 months. Doctors say it is GERD..but i have been eating the most healthy food from the last 6 mths so thr is no question of GERD.
So rdUNC h9w r u doing now that its been 3 yrs. Hope u r cured completely.amen!

I have been working on my immunity a lot..taking vit c, japanese mushroom supplement, b12, cercumin , juices fruits and what not. Google research says tht it clears in 6 mths to 2yrs in most cases where the infectiin doesnt show up . Does that mean the vieus keeps troubling the ones who have showed symptoms and it never clears from their bodies therefore

Thank you all for sharing information.i also learned that i am hpv in last feb and almost in the same time i started to have same problem in my throat. It has exactly same issues. Been at 3 different ent doctor all treat me for soar throat and one of them told me it could cause from stomach acid. None of the medications worked.i was insist asking them if it is related to my hpv however they were very confident saying that wouldnt spread to throat that way. I read so much on the internet and my throats are not getting well.. I am also quite scared.i am changing my doctor again and this time will more insist on doing any sort of test or endoskopi at least to have visibility on what i have. Let us know if there is any develooment in your situation