<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.My husband had SSC with HPV in his lymph nodes in his neck . They have been removed and there is no sign of cancer anywhere else. My questions are: How long does the virus stay in your body? could he have had it for 25 plus years?, could he have contracted it from me even though I have not had any symptoms? would he still have the virus in his body? If so, is cancer likely to recur? am I at a higher risk of cancer myself now? Thankyou  <response>: Hello and welcome to Chat Doctor, Human papillomavirus HPV infection is transmitted by sexual route and by oral route. The virus causes cancer after 10-15 years of infection. Once infected, the virus stays in the body. There is no Chat Doctor. However, preventive measures can be taken. In your husbands case who has been treated of the cancer, any appearance of new ulcer, proliferative lesion or lymph node should be investigated. As in your case, get pap test regularly. Pap test is done to detect any cancer changes in the cervix. Cancer of cervix is more often associated with HPV infection as compared to oral cancers. Avoid multiple sexual partners and practice safe sex. Thanks and take care 