Unlike HSV and HIV/AIDS which remain dormant in the body forever (for all the foreseeable future thus far). How can people say that the body cannot permanently clear viral infections? where the immune system can reach them. Molluscum contagiosum is a fine example this viral infection affects the skin mucosa just as HPV does, yet this virus is permanently removed when the lesions regress (due to immune response I would imagin) it has no "dormant" phase.
much debate between experts HPV is "believed" by some to be a lifelong infection, probably due to the absence of HPV during a PAP test and then the re-appearance later on. Couldn't a negative test followed by a positive just be a result of a person having regular intercourse? thus resulting in persistent infection. Given the clearance time of the infection is above 6 months or above.