Is there any value to getting the HPV vaccine at my age to prevent future exposures?  These worries have kept me out of the dating world and having sex for the past 4 years. 

Thank you

welcome to the Forum.  I'll do my best to help.  It is more likely than not that between your LEEP, your own immune response, and your multiple negative tests for HPV that your infection is gone and, at the very least, not transmissible to others.  For all of these reasons, at this point I would not worry, other than to follow your doctor's own advice for reproductive health screening.   I would counsel you against proactively telling future sex partners of your past HPV infection although should you be engaged in sharing your past sexual histories with a future partner, mentioning your LEEP, as well as your recent negative tests is appropriate.  There is no reason for you to be concerned that you might be infectious at this time.  

As for your ex, I think that assuming that the lump in his neck is a cancer, or that it is a cancer due to HPV which he acquired from you is to be making unfounded assumptions.  As I suspect you are aware, he should certainly get it checked since getting it checked would not change its presence but would provide the potential to do something about it is warranted.  You however cannot make that decision for him.  

Finally, regarding the HPV vaccine, the U.S. FDA recently approved the HPV vaccine for persons up to age 45.  Thus while I cannot tell you whether your insurance would pay for it (it will cost about $500.00 dollars), the vaccine would likely provide you with a degree of protection against future HPV infections that you might be exposed to.  It is safe and effective.  Other than the issue of costs, there is little downside to getting the vaccine and considerable potential benefit.

I hope this information is helpful to you.  EWH

What is a good place to refer partners who may have questions?

Oral HPV is a problem that investigators have only recently become aware of and because of this it has gotten a lot of press.  Oral HPV does occur but it is less common than genital infections and like genital infections, most infections tend to clear on their own without progression to cancer.  When it does progress, progression is often enhanced by other co-factors such as tobacco use.  

We do not suggest that our clients routinely notify partners.  The infection if all too common to be a realistic matter of concern and the levels of misunderstanding are high so that all too often well-intended disclose leads to misunderstanding.  In your own case, while you are concerned that you MIGHT have oral HPV you do not know this.  there is no good routine test for oral HPV infection.  I see no need for disclosure.  

For more on the topic of disclosure, I suggest you look at other posts on out site. We leave them up as we wish for others to access to the information we provide.  EWH

Finally, in your estimation, how many people are in the same boat as I am in regard to HPV?  Is it really 80% of the population, in estimation?

Thank you for answering my questions. I appreciate your help and your organization provides a great service. 

There are few data on how oral HPV is transmitted.  We presume that most is transmitted through direct contact in the course of oral sex.  I suppose theoretically that open mouth, deep kissing might be expected to very rarely transmit HPV and that the risk from closed mouth kissing would be close to zero.  Remember as well oral HPV is much rarer than genital infections.

Yes, at least 80% of sexually active persons who have not had the vaccine have or have had genital  HPV.  You are in better shape than most since you had it, had it treated and now have negative tests.  

As I suspect you know, as this is my 3rd response, this thread will now be closed without further responses.  I hope that the information I have provided is helpful. Take care and please don't worry.  EWH