I get female exams/hpv test every 5 years. can a young woman in mid to late 30s fight off or clear a hpv infection even if its high risk? thank you

Yes... but: Most patients infected by the 7 or so HPV strains associated with cancer will clear the initial infection within 2-3 years. However, these strains are well known for their ability to hibernate & recur years or decades later. The pap smears done to screen for cervical cancer were in common use for decades before we understood a link to HPV. Clearing the primary infection does not mean risk is gone.