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Oral sex is a common sexual practice. And most people view it as a generally safe form of sex. In a lot of ways, it is. You can't get pregnant from oral sex. And it carries less risk for many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than vaginal or anal sex. But less risk doesn't mean no risk.

The truth is, because of its link to human papillomavirus (HPV), oral sex is linked to throat cancer. You can get HPV in the throat from oral sex - and HPV in the throat increases your risk for throat cancer. In other words, you don't get throat cancer directly from oral sex, but you can get it indirectly through HPV.

But does having oral sex mean you'll get throat cancer? And is there anything you can do to lower your risk? Here's what you need to know to protect yourself against a dangerous problem.

Is oral sex safe and what are the risks?

Oral sex is generally viewed as a relatively safe form of sex. But it's still possible for many STIs to spread through oral sex. These include:

• Chlamydia

• Gonorrhea

• Syphilis

• Herpes

• HPV

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

But it can be more difficult for some STIs to spread through oral sex compared to vaginal or anal sex. For example, while you can get herpes or gonorrhea from oral sex, it's much harder to get HIV from it. According to the CDC, there's "little to no risk" of getting HIV from oral sex, making oral sex relatively safe when it comes to HIV.

One big exception to the idea that oral sex is relatively safe is HPV. HPV is the single most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. In fact, most sexually active people will become infected with HPV at some point in their lifetime. Unlike some other STIs, it spreads very easily through oral sex.

It's hard to say exactly how many people get HPV from oral sex. This is because healthcare professionals don't routinely test for HPV in the throat. On top of that, HPV infections in the throat usually don't cause any symptoms. According to one study, if a random group of people between the ages of 14 and 69 were tested for oral HPV, almost 10% of them would test positive.

What is the link between throat cancer and HPV?

There are over 100 forms of HPV. But most forms don't have any association with throat cancer. Only a handful increase your risk for it. One type of HPV in particular, known as HPV 16, is thought to be responsible for about 90% of throat cancers caused by HPV.

While this can sound very scary, most people who get HPV in their throat clear the infection on their own within 1 to 2 years. So, even if you're infected with one of the more dangerous forms of HPV, your body will likely fight off the infection on its own.

But a small subsection of people can't fight the virus off. In these people, HPV can colonize your throat, causing a chronic infection. When this happens, the virus replicates over and over, eventually causing damage to your DNA. This is what ultimately leads to cancer in your throat from HPV.

What are the risk factors for throat cancer?

There are several things that can increase your risk for throat cancer. The biggest risk factor for throat cancer is having HPV. Up to 70% of throat cancers are caused by HPV. Other risk factors include:

• Being considered overweight

• Having poor oral health

• Being male

• Rare genetic syndromes (like Fanconi anemia or dyskeratosis congenita)

What are the earliest signs of throat cancer?

Currently, there's no screening test for throat cancer. While cervical cancer, also caused by HPV, can be screened with Pap smears, there's no equivalent test for throat cancer.

The only way to know if you have throat cancer is to be evaluated after developing symptoms. This is why seeing a healthcare professional as soon as possible when you notice any symptoms is so important.

Some signs and symptoms of throat cancer to look out for are:

• A sore throat that lasts a long time

• Earaches

• A hoarse voice

• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck

• Pain with swallowing

• Losing weight when you're not trying to

If you experience any symptoms that make you concerned for throat cancer, you should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Cancer is more easily treated when it's caught in the early stages, so early detection of throat cancer is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself.

What are the signs of oral HPV?

HPV in the throat is usually asymptomatic. This means that most people with oral HPV never know they have it. While some forms of HPV cause warts, it's possible to develop warts in your throat as a result of HPV, but this is rare.

How can you lower your risk of throat cancer if you have HPV?

The way to lower your risk of throat cancer is to avoid getting HPV in the first place. The HPV vaccine can help with this.

The HPV vaccine was first approved in the U.S. in 2006. Initially, it was recommended for girls, but these recommendations were quickly expanded. The HPV vaccine is now recommended for all boys and girls from age 9 to 26.

Some adults between the ages of 27 and 45 should also get the HPV vaccine, depending on their risk factors for a new diagnosis of HPV. The HPV vaccine protects against many forms of HPV, including HPV 16, the variant most associated with throat cancer.

You can further lower your risk of throat cancer by avoiding other risk factors. Here are some steps you can take:

• Avoid tobacco products

• Stay away from alcohol

• Maintain good oral health and visit a dentist regularly

• Eat a well-balanced diet

• Exercise regularly

If you already have HPV, don't panic. The vast majority of people who have HPV clear the infection on their own. This means that even if you have HPV, the overwhelming odds are that you'll never get throat cancer.

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