Here is some food for thought. In regards to HPV-16. I know everybody is different and other factors probably apply but I haven't read anywhere what the incubation period from time of infection to symptoms present is. Don't know if anybody really knows yet. I do know this; since at least the mid nineties, my left tonsil has constantly ached and was at least double in size as the right one.( I looked often cause it always bothered me) I had it checked out many a time. I wouldn't seek out medical for just this. If I was at the docs office for something else or I had access to a nurse at my job, I would ask them to take a look. They never seemed particularly alarmed but told me often if it bothered me to have them removed. My right tonsil never, ever gave me grief. Only my left. Low and behold 15-20 years later SCC of left tonsil. Anybody else similar?