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Does Pap Smear Test Diagnose Chlamydia?
Posted on
Tue, 20 Jan 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 20 Jan 2015
Answered on
Wed, 18 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I had a pap smear & pelvic exam. Would Chlyamidia signs have been seen during pelvic if I had it?
Brief Answer:
It might not show up on the exam.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the question.
When women have a regular exam, we do get a look at the cervix. If you had Chlamydia, it might present as a visibly increased discharge, but it might not show up at all. Chlamydia lives inside the cells of the cervix and is considered 'intracellular". This is how it escapes detection. You can ask for them to run a test for Chlamydia off of the Pap smear if they still have the specimen.
Please let me know if this helps!
Dr Raichle
It might not show up on the exam.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the question.
When women have a regular exam, we do get a look at the cervix. If you had Chlamydia, it might present as a visibly increased discharge, but it might not show up at all. Chlamydia lives inside the cells of the cervix and is considered 'intracellular". This is how it escapes detection. You can ask for them to run a test for Chlamydia off of the Pap smear if they still have the specimen.
Please let me know if this helps!
Dr Raichle
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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