Oral genital warts caused by the HPV virus, which is transmitted through sexual contact, can significantly affect the patient's daily life and health. However, because the incubation period for oral genital warts is long, and the symptoms are similar to canker sores, many people do not realize they have contracted the disease and do not seek treatment. So, how can one tell if they have oral genital warts rather than canker sores?
1. What is oral genital warts, and why do people get it?
Oral genital warts, also known as genital warts, are one of the sexually transmitted diseases caused by the HPV virus. The characteristic damage of this disease is the appearance of papules and lumps on the genital organs. However, these lesions can also appear on the tongue and inside the mouth, in which case it is called oral genital warts.
Although caused by the HPV virus, oral genital warts are confirmed to be due to oral sexual activity without taking safety precautions. Additionally, the habit of sharing personal hygiene tools with an infected person can also spread the virus if there is direct contact with open wounds.
2.What are the symptoms of oral genital warts on the lips and mouth?
The incubation period of oral genital warts is quite long, similar to genital warts in general, ranging from 2 to 9 months. Therefore, patients often do not realize they are infected until the symptoms of the disease begin to appear.
In the early stages after the disease develops, white patches appear on the tongue and throat, causing a sore throat that is very uncomfortable when swallowing. This symptom is often overlooked because it is mistaken for a canker sore or sore throat.
In addition to the white patches, small white or pink pimple-like bumps also appear on the tongue. These gradually enlarge and resemble a rooster comb. When the symptoms of oral genital warts fully develop, patients will feel itching in the mouth and on the tongue, making swallowing more difficult than usual, whether swallowing saliva or food. As a result, weight loss occurs due to an inability to eat or drink.
When the papules develop, they cause swelling and numbness of the tongue, along with rashes and redness in the mouth. Patients will feel pain in the jawbone and tonsils. These fleshy warts and pimples in the mouth are often mistaken for canker sores, which is why the disease may progress to a more severe stage before it is diagnosed.
3. How to distinguish between canker sores and oral genital warts?
It is important to distinguish between canker sores and oral genital warts for timely treatment. For canker sores, the lesions usually have a red, swollen border, especially painful when eating or touching. Canker sores typically heal within 7 to 10 days after drinking plenty of water, eating vegetables, or using cooling foods. In some cases, they may recur due to a hot constitution, but they usually heal quickly.
As for oral genital warts, if mistaken for canker sores and treated with canker sore medication, there will be no improvement. Moreover, the warts of oral genital warts are pinkish-white and tiny, and when touched, they release fluid, causing pain when swallowing and numbness in the tongue and mouth.
Therefore, if you suspect you have oral genital warts, it is important to proactively visit a specialist for an examination and timely treatment.
4. How does oral genital warts affect individuals?
If left untreated, oral genital warts can lead to serious complications and affect the patient's daily life, mental health, and overall well-being. Some potential complications and risks include:
- Infection inside the mouth, making eating, communication, and daily activities difficult.
If oral genital warts are caused by HPV types 16 or 18, it can increase the risk of throat cancer. - Transmission of the disease to family members and those around the infected person.
- Increased risk of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in men, particularly syphilis and gonorrhea.
- Oral genital warts can reduce the aesthetic appearance of the mouth, cause unpleasant odors when speaking, and affect social interactions and daily activities.
- The disease may impact marital relationships and family dynamics, reducing the quality of sexual life.
Oral genital warts need to be detected early and differentiated from canker sores to avoid complications for health. Timely treatment also reduces the risk of throat cancer if the person is infected with oral genital warts.
Regular health checkups help detect oral genital warts and other sexually transmitted diseases early, so effective treatment plans can be implemented.
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