Does hpv last forever?

Depends on person: Some people infected with hpv mount successful immune responses to the virus and will completely clear the infection. We are not able to at this time to predict who will be infected and have the virus linger (carriers) versus completely clearing the infection. It is possible to become 'reinfected' with hpv especially if exposed to a new / different viral type. There are > 100 types.

Yes: You also need to stop worrying or beating yourself up about it. With routine health care (pap smears if you're a woman, just keeping an eye on that thing if you are a man and getting suspicious lesions checked by a competent physician), it's not going to kill or mutilate you. Everybody has a few strains of hpv. Get the immunization so you don't get any more nasty strains.