Will my pap test tell me if I have an infection?

Will my pap test tell me if I have an infection?I told my doctor that I might have a sexually transmitted infection, like Chlamydia. She told me that my pap test would pick up on it. So if my pap came back normal, does that mean I don't have an infection?

J B
Hopefully, she took another q-tip swab because a PAP can identify HPV but not chlamydia. I have never heard of testing for any STD using only the PAP smear.

Sheena
Your pap smear tests for abnormal cells on your cervix. Your doctor will add a note to your sample indicating they should test for sexually transmitted diseases as well. You'll get separate results for your pap and your STD screening.

C
Yes a pap test can detect it, that's how i found out i had it and trichomonas. The gyno will do a vaginal swab culture of your discharge. If it comes back normal, most likely you don't have an infection.

Lily L
The pap smear is NOT designed to detect infections of any kind. The pap smear looks for cervical cell changes. These changes are usually caused by HPV, but most women with HPV have normal paps. They can also use the pap sample to do an HPV test.

Sometimes an infection like chlamydia will cause inflamation and your pap would be abnormal. However, the pap is not a reliable way to test to chlamydia, so if your pap indicated inflamation or an infection, you doctor would then need to give additional tests to determine what type of infection you had. You can also have chlamydia and have a normal pap.

Since you told your doctor that you suspected and STI, she probably performed other tests in addiction to the pap smear. These test often use a vaginal swab, and are taked right before or after the pap, so you probably didn't even notice that she took a separate sample.

Still, please MAKE SURE that this happened. If your pap is normal, ask whether you were also tested for STDs (and ask what tests you received!) and each of the results individually. Ideally, you should go to the doctor with a specific list of things you wish to be tested for: HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphillis, Chlamydia, Gonhorea, and herpes and HPV if you want.

Good luck!

Give your answer to this question below! Learn about different types of STDs and the effects on the body in both women and men. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Info Blog.

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