How Long Can HPV Be Dormant?

Most people will contract the human papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lifetime. There are more than a hundred different kinds, which can result in everything from genital warts and verrucas to hand warts and certain malignancies. Most HPV infections are harmless, and your body completely clears the virus. When a virus is lying dormant present but not active, or sleeping it can occasionally remain in your skin without causing any problems. In today's blog, we will talk about how long HPV can be dormant in your body.

Is it possible for HPV to lay dormant?

The HPV virus has a period of dormancy, allowing it to remain in your body for a set period without causing any symptoms. Because of this, years into a monogamous relationship, you could contract HPV from your partner or vice versa. Most HPV strains are not harmful. Often, the infection is eliminated by your immune system without your knowledge. Genital warts may develop due to some HPV types, whereas uncontrolled cell proliferation may result from others. This may result in many cancers, such as cervical cancer, vaginal, and anal cancer.

Also Read: Warts Meaning, Causes And Treatment

Can dormant HPV still be detected?

When HPV is latent, it cannot be found. This indicates that an HPV test or cervical screening won't detect it. Only when it is active will the infection become visible? Therefore, it's possible that you have a cervical screening that is completely negative and that a subsequent test performed a few years later detects HPV.

When HPV is dormant, can it still spread?

Since HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact, it can be contracted through the majority of sexual acts, including vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse, though the risk can be decreased by using condoms. Sharing sex toys or having close contact while having sex are some ways it can spread.

Also Read: The Health Benefits of Sex

What are some HPV dormancy myths?

When it comes to dormant HPV, there are numerous myths:

1. Condoms offer HPV protection.

While condoms can significantly lower the risk of HPV infection, they do not provide 100 percent security. That's because skin-to-skin contact is how HPV is mostly spread. Even when it doesn't involve sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact in the vaginal region can spread the virus. Condoms may still facilitate HPV transmission because they only completely enclose a piece of the vaginal skin.

Also Read: Do Condoms Really Work?

2. HPV has a fixed dormancy period

Although HPV can be latent for a very long time, it is mainly unknown how long HPV can be dormant. From person to person, it tends to differ. While some people can recover from HPV infections within a few months completely, others may have dormant HPV for decades, if not their entire lives.

3. Only women are impacted by HPV.

Women may be more aware of the risk of HPV than men because cervical cancer screening is so common. Men are less likely than women to show signs of HPV but are nonetheless susceptible to infection, transmission, and the development of genital warts or cancer.

Also Read: HPV in Men - The Most Common STI

4. HPV does not go away

Even while HPV can linger in the body for a long time, research suggests that most people get rid of the virus within a year to two.

5. Once you have recovered from the infection, you cannot contract HPV again.

You might recover from one infection only to contract another due to the large variety of HPV strains. If the immune system hasn't entirely eradicated the virus, earlier HPV-related symptoms may reappear.

6. Infections with HPV always result in symptoms

Contrarily, HPV infections hardly ever result in symptoms. Most people recover from infections before they even know they have them. The following factors can increase or decrease your likelihood of developing an HPV infection symptom:

• Immune system

The immune system prevents HPV when you contract it. Faster infection clearance is possible with a strong, healthy immune system. You may be more susceptible to HPV infection symptoms if poor diet, stress, HIV, or other immune-suppressing disorders compromise your immune system.

• HPV strain

There are more than 100 different strains of HPV. Most of these strains are asymptomatic and don't need to be treated. However, some HPV strains are regarded as high-risk. For instance, HPV 16 and 18 might result in different cancers. According to research, strains 6 and 11 can also result in genital warts. Even if the immune system easily clears a low-risk strain of HPV and no symptoms appear, you can still spread the infection to other people. The importance of HPV vaccination in its prevention can, therefore, not be overstated.

7. Receiving a positive HPV test result while in a committed relationship suggests infidelity

Since HPV typically causes no symptoms, most people only learn they have it when: successful HPV test, Genital wart outbreak with abnormal pap smear results. Getting any STI diagnosis after a protracted monogamous relationship can be upsetting. You could be concerned if your partner exposed you to this STD from a previous partner. This isn't necessarily the case with HPV. However, it is conceivable. HPV might have been present in someone's body for a long time before becoming active. Additionally, it may take years for an HPV infection to result in cervical cell abnormalities that can be seen on a pap smear. A fast onset of an HPV symptom or symptoms does not always indicate a recent infection due to HPV latency.

How can you prevent the spread of HPV?

Even while HPV is primarily harmless, taking precautions to limit the virus's spread is crucial. Here are the best practices for avoiding HPV infection.

1. Get an HPV vaccination.

The HPV vaccine protects against the HPV types most frequently linked to genital warts and cancer. Before becoming sexually active, the CDC advises that youngsters receive the HPV vaccine around 11. You still have until age 45 to get an adult HPV vaccination if you haven't already. Both genders have received the vaccine's approval. The HPV vaccine is the best defense against contracting a high-risk form of the virus and disseminating it.

2. Before having sex with new partners, get your HPV tested.

Knowing the status of your STIs and those of your partner is always a good idea. Consider getting tested for HPV and other STIs before having sex with a new person to make sure you don't pass anything along to each other.

3. Always use protection when having sex.

Condoms and dental dams can provide some defense against HPV and other STIs.

4. If you have a genital wart, avoid having intercourse.

Genital warts may indicate an active HPV infection. It's a good idea to hold off on having sex until the warts have healed up if you or your partner develop genital warts.

5. Maintain a robust immune system.

You have a good possibility of coming into contact with HPV at some time in your life. In addition to receiving the vaccine, maintaining a strong immune system helps hasten the resolution of an HPV infection.

6. Get a cervical cancer screening.

Regular pap smears and HPV tests can help women avoid HPV-related cervical cancer. Pap smears and HPV tests are the recommended tests for cervical cancer screening. If you're wondering how HPV testing and pap smears vary in detecting cervical cancer, both are very effective. Any abnormalities in cervical cells or high-risk HPV infections can be found using these two screening methods before they develop into cervical cancer. These tests can assist a person in receiving an early diagnosis and a better prognosis if cervical cancer develops.

Final Words

In conclusion, HPV may remain dormant for an unsure period. Your body could, however, combat the infection by itself. Because your cervix is hidden, you won't know when (or if) the type of HPV that may be causing cervical cancer has become active. HPV can become active at any time. Keep your cervical screenings up to date for this reason.