DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 61-year-old retired African-American woman. This past week, I just had a Pap smear (I hadn’t had one since 2021) and was told that it was positive for human papillomavirus (HPV). I’m upset because I was celibate from 2021-2024, and then in January 2024, I got married to my current husband, who lives in Africa. I was there for a week, and we honeymooned and consummated our marriage. I came back home and have since been monogamous.

This week, I found out that I have HPV. What can I do? Will the vaccine help? I’ll be going back to Africa later this year to be with my husband on a spouse visa for about six months, and I don’t know what to do. My doctor didn’t say much besides the fact that she would check me again next year. I’m so stressed and upset because of this. Can you give me your advice? — Anon.

ANSWER: I read the report that you sent me, and you have a lower-risk type of HPV — not one of the high-risk groups (genotype 16, 18 or 45). Although the type of HPV you have can lead to changes in the cervix that can cause cervical cancer, it is unlikely.

Most women clear the infection without treatment, and since you have a lower-risk type and are in your 60s, you are even less likely to develop problems. More than 95% of women in this group of lower-risk HPV genotypes cleared the infection. Fewer than 5% went on to develop the precursor to cervical cancer called CIN 2 (“Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 2”), or worse.

Your doctor did what is recommended, which is to recheck in a year. At this point, it’s very likely to be gone. (Of course, she could have done a better job of explaining.) In the unlikely event that the HPV is still detected, your doctor would recommend a close look at your cervix through a colposcopy to see if there are any abnormal areas of the cervix, which could also be biopsied at the same time.

If there aren’t any abnormal areas, then you’d be recommended another follow-up in a year. But if there were areas of CIN2 or greater, these would be removed with a LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure).

I understand why you are stressed and upset. This is how mostly everyone feels when they hear this news. Fortunately, your body is very likely to cure itself within the next year or so, and your doctor will check to make sure that it’s fully gone.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 79 years old and had a few cancers (lung removed, prostate cancer) in the past. I currently have neuropathy. I notice that when I consume food with high sodium, the pain is extreme, and drinking water helps. My question is: Is there a device to measure sodium in the blood? Diabetics have a blood checker to measure, so I was wondering. — J.S.

ANSWER: The body will maintain normal sodium levels under most conditions. Having a very salty meal isn’t enough to cause the sodium level to raise above the normal level, so a home-based device to measure plasma sodium in the way that people with diabetes measure plasma glucose wouldn’t be particularly helpful. (There are exceptions, such as people with certain kidney diseases.)

My advice is to look at the sodium content of the foods that you buy and avoid ones with a high sodium content. A goal of 2,300 mg of sodium is recommended by expert groups like the American Heart Association.