Afraid of still having/getting HPV

Had a Pap smear a few years back and it came back with the benign strain of HPV. The doctor said there was nothing for me to do at the time. Many women explain that the strain left their system after a few years. I'm gonna have a Pap smear soon and I'm afraid of still having the strain. I'm wondering what measures women take to avoid getting the strain again. Do ladies avoid new partners and practice safe sex?