Does a Smear Test Detect STIs?

If you’ve recently been asked to attend a cervical screening, you may have some concerns about whether or not that cervical screening can detect an STI. To answer this question, let’s talk about the process of cervical screening and its relationship with STIs and STI tests. 

So, is cervical screening a test for STIs? No, a cervical screening does not include testing for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV or hepatitis. The test is intended to screen women for precursors of cervical cancer, which is caused by specific strains of the Human Papillomavirus. For other STIs, such as the ones listed above, a different method is necessary. 

Read on to learn more about cervical screening, the methods used, who needs to be screened and what your results mean. 

Will a Pap Test Check for STIs?

To remain consistent in the medical field, when we talk about ‘STIs’, we are talking about a select number of sexually transmitted infections or diseases which are tested by either a blood sample, urine sample or swab test. These methods test for;

• Chlamydia
• Gardnerella Vaginalis
• Gonorrhoea
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• HIV
• Mycoplasma
• Syphilis
• Trichomonas Vaginalis
• Ureaplasma
• Herpes Simplex I/II (Current Infection)

A ‘pap test’, sometimes known as a smear test, is a screening for precursors of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is caused by specific strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). A ‘pap’ test checks for these strains of HPV as they can lead to complications in the cervical cell wall, which has been attributed to causing cancer. 

The HPV test, which is different from a pap smear, can be administered upon your request by your GP and will lead to a screening on the full spectrum of the HPV. There are more than 100 variants of HPV, but only a small number are considered high-risk and attributed to cervical cancer. 

In both cases, Human Papillomavirus is shared via sexual contact and in some cases leads to genital warts. In most cases, however, it remains dormant and does not affect people in their day-to-day lives. 

What is a Pap Test/Smear Test?

A pap test or smear test is a screening of the cervix to see if the person being tested has signs of precursors to cervical cancer. If you are asked to attend a screening, it is not as a result of any other medical test you have had historically. It is a common screening offered to anyone with a cervix to help prevent cervical cancer. 

What Happens During a Pap Test?

You will receive a letter from your GP in the post offering you an appointment to attend. 

During the screening, a speculum is entered into the vagina, and a small brush is wiped on the walls of your cervix to collect a sample. This sample is then tested for the HPV virus. 

Who Needs a Pap Test?

All women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 are invited to a pap smear. There had been a general effort in the UK to lower the age of invitation to 18 due to the importance of cervical screening. The general trend shows that most cases of cervical cancers occur between the ages of 25 and 64, however. 

You will be asked to attend follow-up screenings based on your age at the following intervals in your life:

What Do Your Pap Smear Test Results Mean? 

You will have your results provided to you either by phone or by a letter in the post. If some positive HPV results are found in your sample, further screening may be required. 

If a positive HPV result is confirmed, then you will then be tested for changes in the cells in your cervical wall. If any changes are found to have occurred you will be treated accordingly as a preventative measure for cervical cancer. 

How are STIs Tested?

STIs are commonly tested in a few different ways depending on the infections being tested for, which is at the request of the patient. Some infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea, are tested by collecting urine samples, or throat swabs

Other sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV require a blood test.

All sexually transmitted diseases can be tested for by taking a Full STI Test. 

The intention of these STI tests is to test for viruses present in blood or discharge, which is the virus’s method of propagation. 

You ought to get tested for these sexually transmitted diseases if you are about to enter into a sexual relationship with someone new or if you suspect you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection through sexual contact. 

STI tests are commonly available through the NHS, but they can take up to 3 weeks to receive results, which isn’t ideal for everyone. All tests can be provided through private clinics such as Your Sexual Health. The turnaround time for these tests is a much shorter 5 days. 

Health Screening with Your Sexual Health

Unfortunately, the HPV tested for when having a smear test isn’t offered by Your Sexual Health, a private sexual health clinic which has branches all around mainland Britain and Northern Ireland. The advantages of private testing are numerous. You will receive your results in as little as 5 days and you can carry out your own test at home. 

Your Sexual Health is a leader in private sexual health testing that offers complete confidentiality at every step of the sexual health screening process. For more information on the topic of full sexual health screening, follow the link provided.

FAQs

What’s the Difference Between HPV and HSV?

There is some crossover between needing to get screened with a pap smear and needing to get an STI test. Because there is some crossover in symptoms between HPV and HSV, it is important to provide some clarity between the two and for you to decide what’s best for you. 

Human Papillomavirus

HPV usually doesn’t cause any symptoms and is the most common STI worldwide. It can cause small bumps to appear around the mouth, penis, vagina or anus of the person infected but it is usually symptomless. It is spread through sexual contact and can be prevented with the use of condoms. 

It causes either genital warts or abnormal changes in the cell wall, which is what leads to cervical cancer. 

Herpes Simplex Virus (I & II)

Herpes Simplex Virus is another common sexually transmitted infection also known as ‘Genital Herpes’. Affecting the mucous membrane, this virus is responsible for ‘cold sores’ and blisters that affect the mouth, penis, vagina and anus. HSV won’t be screened for during your pap smear as it is usually indicated by these open sores. A separate STI test can be taken to confirm.

What Should You Do Before a Pap Test?

There are no special preparations you need to take before attending your pap smear. Washes, douches or any cleaning products serve to wash away the cells found on the inner walls of the cervix, which are the cells being tested. To wash away these cells could likely interfere with results and are to be avoided. 

It is advisable to book your screening appointment when you are not on your period, as this may also cause issues with your results. 

How Long Does a Smear Test Take?

A smear test takes around 5 minutes. The test itself is considered routine, and there are no particular proportions needed by either the patient or the doctor. Waiting times may vary from clinic to clinic, but the procedure itself is brief and simple.