I have not been diagnosed with oral cancer, although I had an MRI without contrast which was somewhat inconclusive and am considering getting an MRI with contrast. I did get an orarisk HPV screening test at dentist and have not gotten results yet, but have not heard back from doc so I am assuming test was negative. If negative, does that conclusively mean I don't have HPV? I understand from forum that a positive does not mean I have an HPV that might not clear in the future. If a negative orarisk is not conclusive, is there any kind of screening exam I can get, even a biopsy that could conclusively prove there is no oral HPV, just for peace of mind sake. I went to an ENT (who ordered the MRI) and he examined me but did not use any light probe devices I read about I know it is not standard to screen for HPV when no lesion present. I did have a neck nodule that has since gone away and somewhat of a persistent cough and a recent sore throat and some of my sexual partners in last few years were pretty experienced so I just want to be sure going forward that I am safe for future partners, which is my biggest concern. Thanks!!

In most people, HPV poses no health problem at all. Their bodies can usually clear the virus with no health issues. Only a very small percentage of HPV+ patients will go on to have any major health concerns. As far as I know at this time there is no accurate HPV test available.

Welcome. If the dentist doesn't call you, you should call them. The oral rinse DNA test is not accurate, and has lots of false positives. I think only dentists use them, so that may say enough, if no ENT does. Also, if a test is negative doesn't necessarily mean you don't have HPV involvement, but if your concern is in the oral mouth, it's unlikely, since 90% of HPV-16, are in the oropharynx, which contain the tonsil, Base of tongue. Anyway, by age 24 most have been exposed an HPV, by 50, gettng the numbers mixed, as many as 90%. If you are concerned about any relationship, see your GP, std health clinic or infectious disease doctor to get blood work, which may be more likely than getting cancer from an, mainly, HPV-16. Good luck.

From what I read when I was researching everything, women can have a pap smear to test for HPV, but there is no test for men. But as Christine said, most cases the body clears it up without any problems. In fact, I read that most people aren't even aware they had anything wrong. It is very rare for it to cause serious problems.

The Guardisil series of shots is available to young men and women up to age 26. It will protect you from getting the strains of HPV which cause oral cancer, genital warts and penile cancer. This vaccine is available for patients as young as 12 years old. You may want to consider getting vaccinated. But as Paul mentioned, you may have already been exposed which I believe means the shots wouldnt be effective.

There is an oral rinse and gargle "test" for HPV but it's not fool proof. For one thing HPV concentrates itself in the far back part of ones throat and most people can't gargle back that far so one may not even reach the HPV to be picked up in the sample even if they currently have it. One would also have to currently have the virus and we do know that one acquires and clears HPV constantly throughout their sexual life so you may be in between infections.

EVEN if you were to have HPV in your oral cavity the chances of it causing oral cancer are very remote.

I would get the Gardasil vaccination and get on with the rest of your life.