OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Bumps on the Back of the Tongue and Throat

7/19/2025, 5:01:02 PMMale25-34

I’m a 27-year-old male, standing 183 cm tall and weighing 80 kg. I don’t smoke but do use snus. I don’t have any other health issues to report. Recently, I’ve observed some bumps on the back of my tongue. A few months back, I was diagnosed with HPV after experiencing genital warts, which my doctor mentioned was not the type associated with severe health risks. Could these bumps be related to my HPV diagnosis, or is there reason for concern regarding another health issue? They haven’t caused me any discomfort.

Family MedicineInternal MedicinePreventive Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

7/19/2025, 5:01:43 PM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to be concerned about changes in your health, particularly with your history of HPV. Bumps on the back of the tongue can have various causes, and while they are often harmless, it's good to be vigilant.

Main Points:

  • Bumps on the back of the tongue could be related to a variety of benign conditions, but monitoring is important.
  • HPV can affect oral areas, though the type you mentioned typically isn't associated with serious health risks.
  • Since you don’t have discomfort, it may be less urgent, but keeping track of changes is wise.

Explanation:

Bumps on the tongue, often referred to as papillae, can be entirely normal anatomical features or a sign of irritation or infection. Conditions like oral thrush, geographic tongue, or even HPV-related changes could cause bumps. Since you've had a recent HPV diagnosis, there’s a chance that the same virus could manifest orally, though this varies with different HPV strains.

Next Steps:

  1. Observation: Monitor the bumps for any changes, such as size, number, or associated symptoms (pain, bleeding, or changes in taste).
  2. Self-Care: Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your tongue gently and avoiding irritants such as spicy or acidic foods that might aggravate the area.
  3. Avoid Snus: Given that you use snus, consider reducing or stopping its use, as it could potentially irritate the oral tissues.
  4. Keep a Record: Note any additional symptoms or changes over the next couple of weeks. This can help provide context for any future medical discussions.
  5. Follow-Up: If the bumps persist beyond a few weeks, change dramatically, or you develop new symptoms, consider seeking professional advice.

Your health is important, and monitoring these changes can help ensure any necessary actions are taken effectively. If you have any questions on self-care or further steps, feel free to ask!

Related Questions

Should I Be Concerned? 26 Years Old

For several weeks, I've been experiencing persistent overheating, including a mild fever of 99.5°F just the other night. While I’ve been putting in significant effort at work, this seems excessive. My body feels constantly achy, and I often feel rundown. Fatigue has become a constant companion, and my sleep patterns are disrupted, preventing me from enjoying a full night’s rest. Additionally, I’ve noticed that my joints have started cracking frequently over the last 12 to 18 months. I’m uncertain whether I should be alarmed about these symptoms...

AgingWellnessPreventive Medicine
Male25-34
18 minutes ago

Concerns About Contamination from Fruit Left in the Sink

Location: F21, USA A friend of mine recently washed some small plums that were packaged in a plastic bag containing tiny holes—similar to dime and nickel sizes. After running water over them, she placed the bag in the sink for roughly ten seconds while she fetched a bowl. I ended up consuming three of those plums. Now, I’m worried about the potential for bacteria transfer from the sink to the fruit. I’m fairly certain she hasn’t prepared chicken in a while since we discussed our aversion to cooking it, leaving me uncertain about other sources of contamination from the sink. Any advice would be appreciated!

WellnessLifestyle ChangesFamily Medicine
Male25-34
58 minutes ago

Understanding the BCBS Settlement Details

Hello! While this topic may not resonate with all of our audience, I thought it would be worthwhile to share nonetheless. It might be relevant for your business or someone you know, so feel free to pass it along even if it doesn’t concern you directly! **$2.8 Billion Settlement for Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Providers** **Deadline for Filing Claims:** July 29, 2025 **Who is Eligible:** Healthcare providers who received payment from BCBS or affiliated Blue Plans between 2008 and 2024. This unprecedented class action antitrust settlement addresses allegations that BCBS engaged in practices that stifled competition and undercompensated providers via its BlueCard Program. If you rendered healthcare services, delivered medical supplies, or offered equipment to patients insured by BCBS between July 24, 2008, and October 4, 2024, you might qualify for a portion of this monumental settlement. This is a valuable chance for you to claim your share of the settlement fund and to benefit from the enhancements to BCBS practices that will follow. **Eligibility Criteria:** Most healthcare providers in the United States who offered care to BCBS-insured individuals during the relevant timeframe are eligible, except for those who are owned by BCBS, work exclusively with government entities, or provide only select services like prescription medications, dental, or vision treatments. **Compensation:** Payouts will depend on your reimbursement amounts from BCBS, modified to account for the estimated effects of antitrust issues. **Additional Improvements:** BCBS commits to enhancing various operational aspects including more efficient claims processing and clearer decision-making procedures, which will be enforced for five years after the settlement is approved. **Claim Submission Deadline:** July 29, 2025. To submit your claim and claim your part of the $2.8 billion settlement, visit 👉 [SettlementBillions.org](http://SettlementBillions.org)

Family MedicineInternal MedicinePreventive Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Should I Be Concerned About My Chest Discomfort?

Hello everyone, I’m a 23-year-old woman dealing with intermittent chest discomfort that has persisted for the last few weeks. The sensation shifts from one side to another, but currently, it’s primarily felt on my right side, right above my breast and between my collarbone and armpit, with some minor discomfort radiating to my back as well. The sensation is more of a dull ache rather than a sharp pain; it’s noticeable, yet it doesn’t hinder my daily activities. Aside from this, I haven’t experienced any additional symptoms such as shortness of breath or sweating. I do smoke, and since I’m not at home at the moment, I’m seeking advice on whether this is something I should be concerned about immediately, or can I afford to wait a week before scheduling an appointment. I should mention there’s occasional pain and numbness in my arm where I have the Nexplanon implant (which I’ve already arranged to have removed because it was placed too deeply). How probable is it that this discomfort is merely due to a muscle strain or a similar issue?

AgingFamily MedicineInternal Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Radiology Inquiry — What Does a Question Mark Indicate Next to a Cyst's Name?

A 33-year-old female, weighing 225 pounds and standing 66 inches tall, has previously been diagnosed with several conditions, including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), atrial septal defect (ASD), and has undergone a right thyroid lobectomy due to a solitary dominant nodule. The symptoms prompting the ultrasound examination included premenstrual spotting, irregular menstrual cycles, sharp pelvic pain during intercourse that could be mitigated by changing positions, and occasional light post-coital bleeding. The findings from the transvaginal ultrasound state, "The cervix contains a large nabothian cyst ? measuring 2.1 x 2.5 x 1.7 cm." This cyst was not detected in my pap smear, which came back completely normal, leading me to believe that it might be situated deeper within the tissue. I’m curious if the question mark indicates a potential typographical error or if it suggests uncertainty regarding the identification of this cyst. This is a new experience for me, as I have not encountered a similar notation on any previous reports. I have a follow-up appointment set for three weeks from now, but I thought it would be beneficial to seek insight here in the meantime.

Family MedicineInternal MedicinePreventive Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago