Reader Question: I was recently diagnosed with HPV, but I've been in a monogamous relationship for many years. Can HPV remain dormant in your body for a long time?

Yes—you can be exposed to the HPV virus but not have any symptoms (including an abnormal pap or HPV DNA test) for months or even years. Of course, you also have to consider the possibility that your partner hasn't been as faithful as you've been, so it's a good idea to be screened for other STDs as well.

That being said, don't panic. HPV is extremely common, and while the virus can lead to cervical cancer in some cases, it most often clears up on its own without you having to do anything at all. One thing you can do: Consider getting the cervical cancer vaccine. The vaccine (Gardasil) works best when you get it before being exposed to HPV, which is why it's currently FDA-approved for women and girls ages 9 to 26 (and the younger they get vaccinated, the better). It may also protect women—including those older than 26—who have already been exposed to HPV. That's because there are several strains of the virus, and the vaccine protects against 4 different strains. So even though it sounds like you've been exposed to one of them, the likelihood that you would have been exposed to all four strains is very low (and the vaccine could protect you in the future). However, right now this would be considered an off-label use, since the FDA is still evaluating evidence that shows the vaccine might help women older than 26. My best advice is to talk to your doctor and ask if it's worth getting.



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