What else does a pap smear test for?

Question

I had a pap tests a wee while back ago. It came back normal. But what I wanted to know is, does it test for STD's and other infections as well as abnormalities with the cervix?

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Normally a Pap will test for abnormalities of the cervix. If you are sexually active they can also test for some STD's such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. If you want to be tested for these and your doctor doesn't mention that they will test for them, ask, it never hurts to be safe.

Answer 2

a pap test can check for lots of different things. Some STDs like HPV can be tested this way but others like HIV require a blood test.

Answer 3

The PAP smear takes a scraping of cells from the wall of your v****a.  They send those cells to a specialist who looks at them under a microscope and compares them to healthy cells.  What they're looking for is changes in the shape of the cells which could indicate cancer; cancerous cells have distinctly different shapes compared to normal cells.  This is a way for them to find cancer  or precancerous cells before they become widespread and more difficult to treat.

If you're worried about STDs or other infections, then you should go have an exam for that.  Some, like HIV (and herpes, if you don't have an active outbreak at that moment), are tested for by taking a blood sample and looking for antibodies against those viruses.  If the antibodies are present, then you've been exposed to the virus (and since there is no cure for either HIV or herpes you've still got it).  Others can be checked for by doing a physical exam, and many can be treated.  The sooner you get them treated, the better off you are.