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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Herpes / October 2003

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? about std's and pap smears

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MBates1093 - 07 Oct 2003 23:10 GMT
hi, was just wondering if a person had an std such as chlamydia and had it
cleared up via zithromax and then 2 or so pap smears in the last year or so
wether or not it would show IF it was still present?in otherwords will a pap
smear pick-up an std such as chlamydia?especially if it has been over 6-9
months from exposure?

clueless
M.L.S. - 08 Oct 2003 00:09 GMT
>hi, was just wondering if a person had an std such as chlamydia and had it
>cleared up via zithromax and then 2 or so pap smears in the last year or so
>wether or not it would show IF it was still present?in otherwords will a pap
>smear pick-up an std such as chlamydia?especially if it has been over 6-9
>months from exposure?

Surprisingly, a pap smear *may* register cell changes that are caused
by chlamydia, but there is no guarantee it will do so.

If you suspect chlamydia the best thing to do is have one of the tests
that look specifically for it.

http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/15/3824

<exerpt>

Several types of tests can be used to detect a chlamydia infection.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, EIA).
    This common, rapid test detects substances (chlamydia antigens)
that trigger the immune system to fight a chlamydia infection. EIA
testing is done by taking a sample of secretions from the potentially
affected area.

Direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA).
    This common, rapid test detects chlamydia antigens. DFA testing is
done by taking a sample of secretions from the potentially affected
area.

Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT).
    These tests detect the genetic material (DNA) of chlamydia
bacteria. Testing can be done on either a urine specimen or a sample
of secretions from the potentially affected. Polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) and ligase chain reaction (LCR) testing are examples of nucleic
acid amplification tests.

Nucleic acid hybridization tests (DNA probe testing).
    Probe testing also detects chlamydia DNA. Probe testing is very
accurate and can be done by taking a sample of secretions from the
potentially affected area. DNA probe testing is not as sensitive as
nucleic acid amplification tests.

Chlamydia culture.
    A culture provides the right environment for chlamydia bacteria to
grow. This test is expensive and not commonly done. It requires high
technical skills and results take 5 to 7 days. The chlamydia culture
test is usually done when the number of bacteria is very low, when
child sexual abuse is suspected, or when treatment for infection has
failed.

</excerpt>

Take care,

Mike
Angela - 08 Oct 2003 18:13 GMT
Pap smears aren't geared to pick up STDs. They are only geared to detect
abnormal cell changes. If you need to be tested for stds then you best bet
would be to make a list of the stds you need to be tested for and go get
tested.  FYI: Herpes is not included in the routine std testing process. So
... you might want to be tested for that along with HIV. Good Luck ~
Angela

> hi, was just wondering if a person had an std such as chlamydia and had it
> cleared up via zithromax and then 2 or so pap smears in the last year or so
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> clueless
 
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