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The answer to your question is not known.  It is not known what the ‘transmission efficacy’ of HPV is.  That is, we do not know the rate by which people actually get an infection for each exposure to the virus.  This is in contract to other sexually transmitted microbes, where an exposure often results in infection.  There is another unknown about HPV infections to complicate matters. If an HPV shows up at a later time, it is not clear whether this HPV infection is new or a reactivation of an old HPV infection. We have a lot yet to learn about HPV.  To reduce your and your partner’s risk of getting HPV, see the assessing your risk section of our web site, www.cervicalcancercampaign.org/ccfacts/risk.html.

Yes, you will be able to have sex again.  However, there is still a lot we do not know about HPV. Most experts think that the HPV virus doesn't 'ping-pong' back and forth between the same partners. The LEEP or Cone procedures do not get rid of your HPV infection, only the abnormal cells resulting from persistent HPV infection.  Condoms do offer some protection against HPV transmission, as well as other sexually transmitted infections. But HPV can be spread through genital contact and that contact can occur outside of the area covered by a condom. So condoms don't offer complete protection against HPV, but they might offer you some peace of mind. 

It is thought, though, that after a LEEP or a Cone procedure, your body will mount an effective immune response to assist in clearing the virus. That is why these procedures are so effective, and cervical abnormalities rarely come back after such procedures in women with working immune systems. But this does not happen in all women and it is impossible, at this time, to predict who will have a persistent HPV infection which may lead to a recurrence of abnormal cells. That is why you need to talk about your concerns with your provider and continue to take good care of yourself and get regular checkups and Pap tests, especially if you have had a procedure for abnormal cervical cells.

You ask a question that is on the mind of a lot of women upon hearing that they have unexpected results from their Pap test.  In most women infected with HPV, the cells in the cervix return to normal after the body's immune system has eliminated the HPV infection of forced it into latency without the woman ever having any signs or symptoms of the HPV.  However, some HPV infections do not fo away and may remian present in the cervical cells for year, without causing any abnormalities most of the time. Most HPV infections clear up within 2 years, some sooner, some longer. Long-standing infection can lead to changes in the cells that can progress to cancer if not treated. If is these cell changes taht a Pap test can detect. Make sure that you follow up with your doctor to get the treatment recommended so taht your pre-cancer cells don't turn into cancer.  Your actions can prevent cervical cancer.

The answer to your question is 'yes' it is possible for HPV to become active again.  But it doesn't happen in every case.  HPV has a tendency to lay dormant for years.  It can then reoccur. In some women, it may reoccur many times and cause the changes you have described such as CIN or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and VAIN or vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.  In other women, it may not reoccur.  If you think you are having problems, please contact your doctor and ask about these concerns.

While most HPV becomes clinically not detectable after some time, this does not necessarily mean it has gone away.  You may have cleared the virus or it may still be in your body in non-detectable levels. The good news is that the likelihood of its returning, once it is gone, is small.  Most of us have HPV but never know it.  It is very common.

HPV is transmitted by skin to skin contact. Sex is the most common skin to skin contact when this occurs.

You asked about kissing as a mode of transmission for HPV.  It is not believed that HPV is harbored in the mouth. Thus, the answer to your question is "probably no," HPV cannot be spread through kissing. You may be confusing HPV with the Herpes simplex virus (HSV) that causes cold sores.

There is no definitive answer to your question as to how long high risk HPV infections can remain dormant. It varies greatly from person to person. High risk HPV infections can remain dormant for many years. Removing the abnormal cells in your cervix with a LEEP or Cone procedure will not eliminate HPV. It is thought, though, that after such a procedure, your body will mount an effectivie immune response to assist in clearing the virus. That is why these procedures are so effective. But this does not happen in all women and it is impossible, at this time, to predict who will have a persistent HPV infection which may lead to a recurrence of abnormal cells. That is why you need to talk about your concerns with your provider and continue to take good care of yourself and get regular checkups and Pap tests, especially if you have had a procedure for abnormal cervical cells.

You ask a question that a lot of people have asked. Chances are that your partner has the same HPV types that you have since you're in a long term relationship. There's a lot we don't know about HPV, but most experts think that the HPV virus doesn't 'ping-pong' back and forth between the same partners. Condoms do offer some protection against HPV transmission, as well as other sexually transmitted infections. But HPV can be spread through genital contact and that contact can occur outside of the area covered by a condom. So condoms don't offer complete portection against HPV, but they might offer you some peace of mind. 

HPV is a very common infection. But because it can be undetected in your body for years, it is hard to say who may have given it to you. Most HPV will be attached by your body's immune system and cleared up on its own, usually within a year or maybe two. But some HPV types hang around for a long time before they start causing trouble.  Thus, it is hard to know how long you've had the HPV and who gave it to you. Don't jump to conclusions.

Your best bet is to talk to your health care provider and ask these same questions. The two of you and perhaps your partner can have a discussion about the best course for you to take.

I can imagine the shock of hearing that you have HPV and I know that many women have the same questions that you do about how they got this virus. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Nearly 80% of American adults will have it sometime in their lives. It is transmitted through sexual contact. That means genital contact of a close nature, with or without sexual intercourse. HPV viruses can live for many years in your body without any signs or symptoms before starting to effect these changes in your cervix. The  HPV virus can remain "latent" in your body without your knowing it. Thus, it is very hard to know where you contracted the virus.  It is important for you to continue to get your regular checkups, Pap and HPV tests and follow your doctor's advice.