Shocking Rates of Oral HPV in Men

The Doctors TV

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The Doctors discuss the shocking statistic from the Annals of Internal Medicine which found that one in nine men in the U.S. is infected with oral HPV, which means 11 million American men have it and many might not even know it.

Watch: Why You Should Worry about HPV

ER physician Dr. Travis Stork explains that the popularity of oral sex may be linked to the rates of the disease. The research found that men who have had a higher number of oral sex partners had higher rates of HPV.

The Doctors explain oral HPV can affect not just your mouth, but also the neck and throat area. They say the warning signs include:

  • Sores that do not heal

  • A sore that is red, white or black in your mouth

  • Difficulty swallowing

  • Change in your voice

  • Ear pain

  • Lesion in the throat

  • Unable to equalize your ears

  • Mass in the neck or mouth

Watch: Sisters Sue Over HPV Vaccine

The Doctors note that research shows that the HPV vaccine is effective in preventing many forms of HPV. The vaccine is most effective in younger people and the recommendation is to receive at the age of 11 or 12.