Top three reasons to consider testing yourself for an STI
26 MILLION
new STI cases in 2018
Nearly HALF
of the new STI cases were
among youth aged 15-24
1 IN FIVE
people in the USA have an STI
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Secure and confidential Same day testing Results in 1-2 days Doctor consultations available Fast lab visits Mall-in-kits at home Results in days 100% pain free Free consultations for positives Free shippingPap Smears STDs
Pap smears are tests taken to detect any possible abnormalities in the cervical cells. It is undertaken by women between the ages of 21 and 65 to determine their chances of contracting cervical cancer. So, to clear the air right away, doctors do not take pap smears for STDs.
Any sampling done during or after a pap smear and following tests is separate and different. A combined test for STDs or STIs like the asymptomatic HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is a co-test separate from pap smears.
What happens in a pap smear is the sampling of the cells around the cervix. It is the entrance to the uterus and is located at the top of the vaginal canal. The cervix, being an internal genital area, is a sampling site for cervical cells and also vaginal secretions.
So, if you request your doctor for an STD test following a pap smear, your doctor may agree to take a sample of the vaginal secretion around the cervix while doing a pap smear or after. However, that does not mean pap smears for STDs work. For that, you need a separate test.
Top three reasons to consider testing yourself for an STI
26 MILLION
new STI cases in 2018
Nearly HALF
of the new STI cases were
among youth aged 15-24
1 IN FIVE
people in the USA have an STI
Does a pap smear test for HIV work?
HIV is also a Sexually Transmitted Disease. So, no, pap smears for STDs like HIV also do not work.
While extracting samples for a cervical screening during a pap smear, the fluid in the area may be sampled for conducting an STD test to detect HIV. However, HIV tests require more sampling than other STDs. An HIV antibody test requires blood, saliva, and urine samples, while an HIV antibody/ antigen combination test requires a blood sample.
So, vaginal secretion in the form of urine around the cervix may be sampled for a separate STD test for Chlamydia or Gonorrhea. However, you need to clearly tell your doctor that you want a proper HIV test, if necessary, for proper collection and testing of samples.
Can a pap smear detect herpes?
Herpes can be either oral or genital. It is also an STD. As pap smears for STDs do not work, you cannot accurately detect herpes with a pap smear. You'll need a separate STD test for that. Herpes requires a blood test or tissue sampling.
Genital herpes is not curable, so it's crucial that you take preventive measures during sexual intercourse. If already contracted with herpes, make sure you abate symptoms with prescribed antiviral medication.
To conclude, pap smears for STDs do not work. Get tested for an STD separately to ensure you're taking the right steps to prevent further possible complications.
Top three reasons to consider testing yoursef for and STI
26 MILLION
new STI cases in 2018
Nearly HALF
of the new STI cases were
among youth aged 15-24
1 IN FIVE
people in the USA have an STI
Top three reasons to consider testing yoursef for and STI
26 MILLION
new STI cases in 2018
Nearly HALF
of the new STI cases were
among youth aged 15-24
1 IN FIVE
people in the USA have an STI
GET TESTED NOW
Secure and confidential Same day testing Results in 1-2 days Doctor consultations available Fast lab visits Mall-in-kits at home Results in days 100% pain free Free consultations for positives Free shipping