A 60-year-old hotel owner was shocked to discover warts growing on her tongue—commonly known as genital warts or “cauliflower warts”—even though she hadn’t been serving clients for years. The surprising infection reportedly stemmed from a seemingly innocent habit: licking her fingers while counting money.
According to ETtoday News, the woman sought medical attention after noticing two red growths in her mouth that made eating difficult. Initially worried she might have tongue cancer, she immediately underwent a biopsy. Doctors reassured her it was not cancer, but rather an infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus responsible for genital warts.
The woman was confused, as she hadn’t had sexual encounters for years. ENT specialist Dr. Wu Zhaokuan explained that HPV can sometimes be transmitted through unusual routes. In this case, the virus likely came from handling contaminated banknotes. The hotel environment, with frequent cash exchanges, provided an opportunity for the virus to enter her body when she licked her fingers before counting bills.
Realizing the cause, the hotel owner expressed regret. Dr. Wu used the case to stress the importance of personal hygiene:
- Wash hands regularly
- Avoid putting hands or unclean objects in the mouth
- Use protection during sexual activity to reduce risk of HPV infection
This unusual case highlights that even minor habits can pose unexpected health risks, emphasizing hygiene awareness in daily life.
