How long hpv stays in the body

But infection with certain strains of the virus do cause concerns. Most HPV infections do clear up entirely on their own or with treatment, says Handsfield; in fact, 90 percent of infections clear after two years as the immune system learns to fight the virus, the World Health Organization reports.

That is, genetic material persists in previously infected tissues for a long time. In some individuals HPV infections are recurrent, which means that they tend to return, sometimes after years.

Recurrent infections indicate that the virus is still present in the cell, oscillating between active and latent states. The warts may go away, or stay the same, or grow in size or number. Usually, a healthcare provider can diagnose genital warts simply by looking at them. Genital warts can come back, even after treatment. The types of HPV that cause warts do not cause cancer.

These include cervical cancer in women, penile cancer in men, and anal cancer in both women and men. HPV can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils called oropharyngeal cancer. All of these cancers are caused by HPV infections that did not go away. Cancer develops very slowly and may not be diagnosed until years, or even decades, after a person first gets infected with HPV.

Currently, there is no way to know who will have only a temporary HPV infection, and who will develop cancer after getting HPV. However, some healthcare providers do offer anal Pap tests to men who may be at increased risk for anal cancer, including men with HIV or men who receive anal sex. If you have symptoms and are concerned about cancer, please see a healthcare provider. Genital warts can be treated by your healthcare provider, or with prescription medication. HPV-related cancers are more treatable when diagnosed and treated promptly.

For more information, visit www. Vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some men age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their healthcare provider about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination.

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