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A 28-year-old female asked:

How soon can a pap smear detect a std? i had sex with a new partner, 3 days later i went for a pap smear, it came back positive for mild hpv with no symptoms, if this guy were to have given me a different std such as chlamydia, would it appear so soon on

2 doctor answers2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joseph Jeu
Family Medicine 46 years experience
A : A pap smear is designed to screen you for cervical cancer. They have found that they can also detect changes consistent with hpv. A pap smear cannot detect other std's, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes or hiv/aids. These are detected with cultures and blood work which your physician may have done in addition to your pap smear.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Dennis Higginbotham
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology 32 years experience
Depends: An std may show up on a pap result, but the pap is not intended to be a screen for std's. If there is concern for std exposure, then specific tests are warranted.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Related questions

A 24-year-old female asked:
What does it mean when a pap comes back saying cellular changes associated with inflammation are present ? Chlamydia, gon & hpv negative.
Dr. Hunter Handsfield
Infectious Disease 55 years experience
Pap inflammation: Pap smears often show inflammation. The cause usually isn't clear -- little research has been done. However, STDs probably are rare. For sure it's not... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
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A 25-year-old female asked:
Can having std like chlamydia or clap, cervicitis, or vaginitis reduce the bodys ability to naturally fight off HPV since the body is trying to fight off different things along with HPV?
Dr. Gurmukh Singh
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Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old member asked:
Does abnormal pap always result in HPV if chlamydia and gonorrhea came back neg?
Dr. Andrew Turrisi
Radiation Oncology 49 years experience
The tissue or: Cells can be tested for portions of the hpv genome. Nothing is always. But it is a common cause, and increasingly found.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Abraham Morse
A Verified Doctor commented
A US doctor answered Learn more
HPV is a virus that causes abnormal Pap smears. Not the other way around.
Mar 31, 2013
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A 31-year-old female asked:
What could cause bleeding each time during/after sex? Had Pap smear and pelvic exam and all came back normal. No STDs, no HPV, cervix looked fine, no infectionsand also no issues with lubrication?
Dr. Birendra Tandan
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something is being injured during sex in the vaginal/cervical area. First check if it is fresh blood, with or without clots and amount. Try a differen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old female asked:
Does HPV automatically mean cancer in the future? Is it a lifetime disease? What are other causes for an abnormal pap besides chlamydia?
Dr. Simon Kimm
Urology 18 years experience
Relationship complex: Hpv does not automatically mean cancer. The relationship between cancer formation & hpv infection is complex, as there are many subtypes of hpv: some ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Simon Kimm
Dr. Simon Kimm commented
Urology 18 years experience
Provided original answer
From the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology: http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq161.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20130304T1137439834
Mar 4, 2013
Last updated Sep 19, 2017

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