Hi @sf2026

Very similar to me but I found through research there is way more to it.
Yes, you can get Human Papillomavirus (HPV) without penetrative sex. HPV is a skin-to-skin virus. While sexual contact is the most common way to contract the virus, it is not the only way.
You can contract HPV in several ways without intercourse:
Intimate Skin-to-Skin Contact: HPV can easily transmit when infected skin or mucous membranes (like the mouth or genital area) touch a partner's skin. This can happen through touching, heavy petting, or non-penetrative acts like oral contact.
Self-Inoculation: It is possible to transfer the virus from one part of your own body to another (for example, from a common wart on your hand to a different area of skin).
Shared Objects: While exceptionally rare, there is evidence that the virus can survive for short periods on inanimate objects, potentially spreading through shared items like towels or sex toys.
Important Distinctions: There are over 100 strains of HPV. The strains that cause common warts on your hands and feet are different from the strains that cause genital warts or lead to cancers. HPV is incredibly common, and many people have no symptoms, making it easy to spread without knowing.

Yes, it is possible to get HPV from deep, open-mouth kissing, though it is considered rare compared to sexual transmission. HPV spreads primarily through close skin-to-skin contact. While light kissing is not typically a risk, intimate kissing may pass the virus if one partner has an oral HPV infection.
Consider these key facts regarding HPV and kissing:
Primary Transmission: HPV is most commonly spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
The Role of Saliva: HPV lives on the skin and mucosal surfaces rather than in saliva, which is why casual contact, hugging, or sharing utensils does not spread the virus.
Risk Factors: The risk of contracting oral HPV increases if you or your partners engage in oral sex or have multiple partners, as these behaviors are closely linked to transmission.

Best,
Rob