You don't necessarily have oral HPV infection. Oral is about 15% as common as genital, so most people with genital infection do not have it orally. But it really doesn't matter, certainly not in terms of the safety for your grandchildren or anyone else who might be in your home, regardless of the anatomic site(s) of infection. Household contacts of persons with genital type HPV never get it, even after years of sharing toilets, towels, utensils, etc; or through natural personal contact, like hugging, kissing and snuggling children. No pediatric office ever has to deal with HPV in young children, regardless of potential infection in their parents or other household members -- assuming no sexual abuse, of course.

Please don't worry about this, regardless of how your grandchildren behave around the house. And don't forget to be a gradmonther who shows them her love -- including snuggling, kissing, etc. You won't infect them.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

The answer to this question is that HPV often becomes undetectable ("goes dormant"), and once a woman has had an abnormal Pap smear, it can become negative and then positive again, without catching a new HPV infection. That's why all women should follow standard Pap smear recommendations, with periodic testing (usually every 3 years) even if they have had previous negative tests (up until around age 50). Do follow your doctor's standard recommendations on this. Likely your negative paps will remain negative, but not necessarily.

If you enjoy the supplements, feel free to continue them. But unfortunately there is no data showing that immune system "boosting" has any effect on HPV clearance. The only lifestyle factor known to make a difference:  tobacco. If you are a cigaret smoker, stopping will increase the likelihood and speed at which your pap becomes normal again.

I have read so many contradicting "facts" online that it is hard to decipher what the facts are; hence, why I am here. As far as immune boosting supplemental items and food, I will continue to take/eat them as it makes me feel proactive and eating beets and mushrooms certainly can't hurt. 

And because of the reassuring news you gave me concerning my grandchildren, I saw them last night and thoroughly enjoyed them; first time in a while. 

Thank you again.

You can reduce the frequency of contradictions if you do your best to limit online searching to professional sites like academic and public health, or at least professionally moderated (like this one); and especially avoid those dominated by peoples' personal experiences (like reddit, for example). That won't completely eliminate uncertainty and controversy, since HPV scientific understanding continues to evolve, but it will help.

I'm so glad my advice has had such a nice positive impact! Best wishes and stay safe.