Age 41. does the gardasil vaccine work against dormant hpv viruses that are already in the body but inactive?

At your age the vaccine helps but is not as effective unless you started your series at a younger age[27]. A three dose series is recommended starting at age 15. If you have been previously vaccinated, and know your partner, than you should be fine. No previous problems is a good sign.

The Gardasil is not a treatment for any form of previous HPV infection. If a person acquired an HPV strain before having the vaccine series, and this cleared naturally, there is no data showing it alters the immune suppression of any dormant strain. Women still need regular pap smears regardless of vaccine use, although they are usually not done as frequently for each case.