Does A Pap Smear Test For Chlamydia

Using Liquid Pap Tests To Detect Gonorrhea And Chlamydia

You can accurately test for Neisseria gonorrheae and Chlamydia trachomatis using the same liquid Pap specimens collected for cervical cytology, researchers from University of Oklahoma college of Medicine in Tulsa have concluded.

You can accurately test for Neisseria gonorrheae and Chlamydia trachomatis using the same liquid Pap specimens collected for cervical cytology, researchers from University of Oklahoma college of Medicine in Tulsa have concluded. They undertook a study involving these two other STDs after two liquid-based cytology tests-ThinPrep and SurePath had already shown the ability to retrieve additional test results for the human papillomavirus virus from fluid remaining after Pap smear preparation.

With the FDA approval of ThinPrep for the new indication of using remaining test fluid to detect gonorrhea and chlamydia, study researchers set out to assess the clinical usefulness of SurePath for the simultaneous preparation of the Pap smear and screening for NG and CT using the transcription mediated nucleic acid amplification tests , APTIMA Combo 2 , APTIMA GC and CT assays.

Investigators collected separate cervical samples from 1,615 patients for liquid Pap cytologic assessment using SurePath and for STD testing using the amplification assays mentioned above. They then tested an aliquot from the separate samples for NG and CT at the same time and assessed the results for sensitivity and specificity.

D Sexually Transmitted Infections

A urinalysis can give clues to the presence of sexually transmitted infections. A positive dipstick for leukocyte esterase or increased numbers of white blood cells in the microscopic exam is suggestive of chlamydia or gonoccocal infection. However, because of its low sensitivity this test should not be considered an effective screening method for these infections. For example, in one study, the presence of leukocyte esterase was only 61% sensitive for chlamydia infections in males.3 For a complete discussion of screening refugees for STIs, see Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections.

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How Long Will It Take For Chlamydia To Show Up In Women

Symptoms of chlamydia in individuals with vulvaswill need around 1 to 3 weeks to show up, but sometimes it can take upto a couple of months. The reason for that is the bacteria. Bacteria is aliving organism, which means it will have an incubation period that willpredetermine its effect before the infection becomes a real problem.

The incubation period will vary depending ondifferent factors like:

• Howlong does it take for the chlamydia to reproduce
• Areyou exposed to a lot of bacteria
• Isyour immune system well-equipped to protect itself against the bacteria

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Can I Take The Test At Home

Tests are available to detect chlamydia at home. Most at-home chlamydia tests are self-collection kits, which allow you to obtain a swab or sample of urine at home and return it to a laboratory by mail. If an at-home chlamydia test returns positive results, a doctor may suggest confirmation testing with a laboratory-based method.

Can Pap Smears Test For Herpes

For all you women out there getting annual exams with pap smears: you need to be very careful. There is a bad thing happening out there a pap with a herpes PCR test built in. This is sometimes called a silver pap.It often includes tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes.

Heres the problem: If you get a pap and the PCR HSV test portion is negative for herpes, does that mean you dont have herpes? Of course not. It means that there was no herpes virus present at the moment the pap was taken, but that certainly does not mean that you dont have herpes!

The bacterial infections gonorrhea and chlamydia are always present until they are treated. They arent there intermittently, and so the silver pap that includes only gonorrhea and chlamydia is legitimate. But in order to test for herpes, an antibody test needs to be done, not a swab test and certainly not a pap.

Herpes virus is present only intermittently and so looking at one point in time for VIRUS is not accurate, not legitimate, and a total waste of money in the asymptomatic individual. It gives false reassurance about lack of infection to patients who have no idea how to interpret these results. Clinicians are confused enough about testing that they dont seem to get it either.

Testing for herpes with a pap test is like someone did a pap looking for sperm and found none and saying, therefore, this person never has sex. It just isnt valid!

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How Do You Test For Chlamydia

Nucleic Acid Amplification The three NAA tests described below work by finding the DNA of chlamydia bacteria. Because NAA tests search for the bacterias genetic material, it is very unlikely that a false-positive test result will occur. The incubation period for chlamydia is 1-5 days, so wait at least five days after potential chlamydia exposure before getting tested to ensure the most accurate results possible.

Urine samples

• Testing via urine samples needs to consist of first-catch urine . Patients should not include more than the first-catch in the collection cup to avoid diluting the sample.
• Patients should not urinate for at least one hour prior to providing a sample.
• Female patients should not cleanse the labial area prior to providing the specimen.

Swab cultures

Why shouldnt you get tested for chlamydia via a blood test?

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Antibodies, IgM

• IgM antibodies are found mainly in the blood and lymph fluid they are the first antibody to be made by the body to fight a new infection.
• This blood samples results should not be used as a diagnostic procedure without confirmation of the diagnosis by another medically established diagnostic product or procedure.

Enzyme immunoassay Antibodies, IgG

• IgG antibodies are the most abundant type of antibody they are found in all body fluids and protect against bacterial and viral infections.

What’s The Difference Between A Pelvic Exam And A Pap Test

During a pelvic exam, your healthcare provider examines and feels your uterus, ovaries and other parts of the female reproductive system. This examination helps your provider identify infections, problems and cancer if visible. Your provider may also perform STD tests during a pelvic exam. A pelvic exam doesn’t always include a Pap smear.

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How Do They Test For Chlamydia In Individuals With A Penis

Your healthcare provider will either ask you for a urine sample or collect a sample from inside the head of your penis using a small swab. This sample is then sent to a lab for analysis.

Not all practitioners perform urine tests for chlamydia. However, if you aren’t comfortable getting swabbed, you can ask for a urine test.

Tests often come back within just a few hours, allowing for rapid treatment of infections.

Does Bacteria In Urine Always Mean Uti

Remember, bacteria in the urine does NOT equal a UTI. So, ask your clinicians if this could be asymptomatic bacteriuria. Tell them youve heard that the Infectious Disease Society of America, the American Geriatrics Society, and other experts say that this condition should not be treated in older adults.

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What Are Chlamydia And Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are common sexually transmitted diseases . Both are typically asymptomatic , caused by bacteria, and have high prevalence across the United States. Chlamydia is one of the most widespread STDs in the United States, with the CDC estimating that 3 million cases occur annually. Rates of gonorrhea have been increasing sharply over the past 5 years, and certain strains are becoming antibiotic resistant.

Chlamydia Signs In Men

Several guys dont notice the symptoms of chlamydia. The majority of males have no symptoms whatsoever.

If symptoms do appear, its typically 1 to 3 weeks after transmission.

Some of the most common signs of chlamydia in males include:

• melting feeling during urination
• yellow or green discharge from the penis
• discomfort in the lower abdominal area
• discomfort in the testicles

Its also feasible to get a chlamydia infection in the rectum. In this instance, the main signs and symptoms are frequently discharge, pain, and also hemorrhaging from this area.

Having foreplay with someone who has the infection increases the risk of getting chlamydia in the throat. Signs can consist of a sore throat, cough, or high temperature. Its also feasible to bring bacteria in the throat and not know it. Can A Pap Smear Detect Chlamydia

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What Is A Pap Smear Test

A Pap smear screens for cervical cancer. The test checks for abnormal cells in the cervix that are cancerous or have the potential to become cancerous. During a Pap smear, your healthcare provider takes cells from your cervix to examine under a microscope for signs of cancer. A Pap smear may also detect certain infections and inflammation. The test is named for an American physician, Dr. George Papanicolaou, who developed the Pap smear.

What is the cervix?

The cervix is the lower part of your uterus that connects to your vaginal canal. Sperm travels through the vaginal canal and cervix to your uterus to fertilize eggs. During pregnancy, the cervix closes to keep the baby in your womb . The cervix opens during childbirth. When you aren’t pregnant, your cervix makes mucus to keep infection-causing bacteria out of your body.

Other Ways To Screen For Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Fortunately, there are many options for STD testing. Choosing the best option for you is what matters most. Lets discuss the variety of options for STD testing.

• At-Home TestsThese tests are usually ordered online or over the phone and then delivered to your home or picked up from a pharmacy. This option is attractive to people who are nervous about going to a facility for STD testing, although theaccuracy of these tests is often questioned.
• Primary Care PhysicianSTD testing can be done by your primary care physician during an office visit. You must request the specific STD test you require and schedule an appointment to get tested.
• Emergency RoomVisiting theER for STD testing is a viable option for people who have privacy concerns or are actively showing symptoms and want quick results.
• Online OptionsOnline options are popular when the individuals privacy and accuracy of the test are priorities. Tests are chosen and ordered online, and an appointment is set, often the same day, at your nearest testing facility.

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Results Of A Pap Smear

Most times, the results of a pap smear return as normal however, it is not uncommon for the results to come back as abnormal. The specialists in the lab will label abnormal cells according to how different they are from normal cells. Knowing the type of abnormality will help your doctor at All Womenâs Care decide on your treatment. Minor cell changes can disappear without the need for treatment, moderate to severe cell changes are more likely to be an indication of precancerous and could turn into cervical cancer.

These are some of the terms used to define the results of a pap smear:

• Normal

  A normal test result indicates that your cervix is healthy. Your doctor will then schedule your next pap smear at All Womenâs Care.

• Unsatisfactory

  An unsatisfactory test result indicates a technician in the lab could not read the sample of cells taken during your pap smear. Your doctor will need to reschedule a pap smear with you to get another sample.

• Benign changes

  This test result indicates your pap smear was basically normal, but there is an infection present that has caused inflammation of your cervical cells. You may need another pelvic exam to find the cause of the infection and receive treatment.

These are some guidelines used in young women under the age of 24:

What it Means to Have an Abnormal Pap Smear

Causes of an Abnormal Pap Smear

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What Does My Test Result Mean

A positive test report means you have the infection and require immediate treatment. A negative test report indicates that you do not have the infection during the time of the test. Re-infection is very common mostly among teenagers. So, individuals with a previous history of chlamydia or who are at risk of the infection may undergo annual screening tests or routine checkups. If you are tested positive, your sexual partner may also have to undergo a routine chlamydia screening test to rule out any infection.

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What Does It Mean If You Test Positive For Leukocytes In Your Urine

Leukocyte esterase is a screening test used to detect a substance that suggests there are white blood cells in the urine. This may mean you have a urinary tract infection. If this test is positive, the urine should be examined under a microscope for white blood cells and other signs that point to an infection.

Secondary Pap Tests & Exams

In some cases, a second Pap test is necessary in order to determine the cause of abnormal results. Its also possible for an inadequate collection of cells to be collected during your initial exam, which will prompt the need for a second test.

A doctor may need to examine your cervix and vagina with a colposcopy, a special type of microscope. This device is used to look inside of the vagina to see any potential problems or growths that would otherwise remain out of sight to the naked eye. If your doctor identifies anything abnormal, a biopsy may be taken from the area in order to run additional testing.

Menopause causes a decrease in estrogen, which can impact test results. Menopausal women are sometimes advised to take estrogen before undergoing a second Pap smear.

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When Should I Call My Doctor About A Chlamydia Test

A note from Cleveland Clinic

A chlamydia test is essential to limiting the spread of this sexually transmitted infection. Its especially important to get screened for chlamydia regularly if youre at a higher risk of this STI. Untreated, the infection can cause health problems and you can spread it to your partner. While youre waiting for results and during treatment, avoid having sex. Wait until your provider says its safe to have sex again. Be sure to use a condom and practice safe sex to avoid getting an STI.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/28/2022.

References

Can A Doctor Tell If You Have Chlamydia By Looking At Your Cervix

The way that doctors test for chlamydia is somewhat different for women and men. This is due to the locations that chlamydia infects in each sex. Women: Your gynecologist will most likely use a speculum to view your cervix. She will retrieve a sample from your cervix using a small swab, which will get sent to a lab.

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What Should I Expect During A Pap Smear

Pap smears take place at a healthcare providers office. The test takes a few minutes. It isnt painful, but you may feel some discomfort. During the procedure, your healthcare provider:

• Inserts a speculum into the vagina. You may feel a bit of pressure. This metal or plastic device holds the vagina open so your provider can see the cervix.
• Uses a small brush or spatula to gently scrape cells from the cervix .

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Ask A Laboratory Scientist

This form enables patients to ask specific questions about lab tests. Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Please allow 2-3 business days for an email response from one of the volunteers on the Consumer Information Response Team.

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Alternative Methods Of Screening For Stds:

Fortunately, there are several STD testing choices. What matters most is that you select the finest solution for you. Lets go over the various STD testing alternatives.

Home examinations:

These tests are often obtained online or by phone and delivered to your house or picked up at a drugstore. This alternative appeals to those who are concerned about visiting to a clinic for STD testing, despite the fact that the validity of such tests is sometimes questioned.

Primary care physician:

STD testing can be performed during an office visit to your primary care doctor. You must seek the appropriate STD test and make an appointment to be tested.

The emergency room:

Approaching the Emergency for STD testing is an option for those who are concerned about their privacy or who are experiencing symptoms and need answers quickly.

Booking an online test:

When the individuals privacy and the accuracy of the exam are important, online choices are preferred. Tests are selected and booked online, and an appointment, frequently on the same day, is scheduled at your local testing location.

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Can A High Wbc Count Cause Leukocytosis

An elevation of any one of these can cause leukocytosis, which is a fairly common laboratory finding. Additionally, WBC counts may be high for any number of reasons. Leukocytosis is a fairly common laboratory finding 1. Is This an Emergency?

Since leukocytes help fight off diseases and infections, high levels of leukocytes in urine may indicate an infection or inflammation in the bladder or kidney. It means the body is trying to fight off an infection in the urinary tract. It could also indicate damage to the ureters, bladder,

If your doctor determines that your lymphocyte count is high, the test result might be evidence of one of the following conditions: Infection Cancer of the blood or lymphatic system.

An elevation of any one of these can cause leukocytosis, which is a fairly common laboratory finding. Additionally, WBC counts may be high for any number of reasons. Leukocytosis is a fairly common laboratory finding 1. Is This an Emergency?

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