Hello! I am a 48 yo female. In 2015 I learned I have a persistent form of HPV. To date it hasn’t cleared. It is not strains 16 or 18. To the best of my knowledge it is not a type that causes warts (I have never had any, or any that I have noticed; neither have my previous partners). Given my marital history, I have had this for 18 years and perhaps for 30+ years. I received the Gardisil vaccine at age 46. I have regular pap smears; happily they have all been normal. My question concerns potential risks to future sexual partners. Based on research I've done via this site, my understanding is this:

1) Type 16 is the strain that causes throat cancer in men; because I don't have that strain and am vaccinated, I pose little risk to a sexual partner, particularly when it comes to oral sex leading to oral cancers

2) I may not actively be shedding virus but we don't know that because there has not been enough research

3) Types 16 and 18 cause about 70% of HPV related cancers (anus, cervical, penile, throat)

4) Given that I am not a smoker and am relatively healthy, my risk for cervical cancer is quite low

5) My partner's risk for cancer as a result of HPV contracted from me is very, very low

I write to see if I am correct and/or if I am missing anything. My overall sense is that HPV is extremely common, cancer risks, while real, are minimal, and that my persistent HPV is not a risk to a partner. My main concern should be to simply monitor my own health in case of cervical cancer. Yes?

Welcome to our Forum and congratulations.  You have done a great job of learning about HPV, something that is challenging for many persons.  You are correct, despite the troublesome persistence of your HPV, as long as your PAP smears remain normal, there is no problem and nothing to be done except continue regular follow-up with your GYN.  Thus, to answer your comments/questions one-by-one:---

Thank you! I mostly just wanted to have this all confirmed and in one place to access later. But you also set my mind at ease; 99% of the time I don't even think about it but then moments of anxiety (typically around disclosure) take over. Thanks again!

It was my pleasure. Congratulations on being so well informed. Take care. EWH---