Final answer:
HPV infections can be cleared by the immune system, but if the infection persists, it can lead to precancerous changes in the cervix. High-risk HPV strains are associated with the majority of cervical cancer cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
HPV infections can result in different outcomes over time. In most cases, the immune system is able to clear the infection within 2 years. However, in some individuals, the infection persists and can lead to precancerous changes in the cervix. Certain high-risk HPV strains, such as HPV 16 and HPV 18, have been linked to more than 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases.