PAP smear / STD questions - Sexually Transmitted Diseases Message Board

jc60656 · 09-11-2005, 04:24 PM

quick question- I got a pap smear done a few weeks ago. If I had an STD would that have somehow shown up on the pap? or would it have messed up the results to trigger a follow up appointment? Anyone know>

thanks!

Thisby · 09-11-2005, 04:47 PM

Nope. The PAP test only looks for abnormal cells on the cervix, not STDs. If you have any abnormal cells, the doc will assume you have been exposed to HPV (the virus that causes all warts, not just genital warts). If you want to be tested for other STDs, you have to ask specifically for them.

malibu82 · 09-12-2005, 03:39 AM

The pap test isn't a test for STDs but it can pick up things other than pre-cancerous or cancerous changes.

You don't know for sure that you don't have an STD just because you have a normal pap BUT things like herpes and chlamydia, even bacterial infections can cause your pap to be abnormal.