HPV picked up in smear

[Partialnamechange]

I'm not sure whether to worry. My partner is paranoid and says we shouldn't have sex for 2 years so it can get out of his system?

I think it's quite common, and that's why they now vaccinate teen girls to avoid it?

Thank you for responding. I managed to speak with a sexual health doctor who said there was no test for it other than a smear and that 90% people were probably carrying it anyway. They said not to worry and that it always just goes away. Just have to keep an eye during screenings in case there's any abnormal cells etc

Don’t worry about it. I had it at a smear 3 years ago, had annual colposcopies as a result and last month had a smear and came back negative for HPV. The nurse said it’s normal for people to have it and their body to get rid of it.

Not everyone’s body gets rid of it, hence cervical cancer. Most people clear it within a couple of years, some don’t. No point waiting for something to clear that might be actually hanging around forever. My body hasn’t cleared the virus in 20 years.

I wish hpv was better understood
It can stay dormant in the body for decades so even after 2 years either of you could probably still have even if it doesn't register on a test anymore
I've been with my husband 7 years and 3 years ago I tested negative, this year I tested positive . 10 years ago I had pre cancerous cells removed so must have had it then too