Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
STDs  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Herpes and a normal Pap Smear
Answered by
H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. -
University of Washington Seattle - WA
This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Warts, Yeast Infection.All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Post a Question Back to Forum
MedHelp Member's Question

Herpes and a normal Pap Smear

by head3rd, Jan 01, 2006 12:00AM
During the summer I had my annual check up and had a normal pap smear. During that same period my sexual partners changed, my current partners ex, was told the other day that a rash in her pubic region looked like herpes and they were doing a culture to determine. She feels that she contracted the virus from her ex, who she thinks got it from me (he was having sex with both of us for a while). I was tested for std's as well during my annual check up this past summer and was told all was clear, but I don't know if they tested for Herpes. I know that you can have an abnormal or atypical pap smear if you have HSV-2. My question is can you have a normal pap smear if you have HSV-2? I am waiting for her results to get tested but want to know could I have had HSV-2 and still had a normal pap smear.
Doctor's Answer

by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jan 01, 2006 12:00AM
The pap smear normally does not indicate herpes one way or the other; that is, you cannot assume you do not have HSV-2 simply because you had a normal Pap.  The only way for a person without symptoms of genital herpes can know whether or not they are infected is to have a type-specific blood test for HSV, such as the HerpeSelect test.



Best wishes and HNY---  HHH, MD
Member Comments (12)

by moet, Jan 01, 2006 12:00AM
Hi: A rash doesn't sound like herpes...best to get blood tested via herpeSelect and test for HSV1 and HSV2 IgG (not IgM)...Good luck to you!!



p.s. a culture is only valuable info if you have a sore, otherwise it will come back neative. Blood is pretty solid.

by head3rd, Jan 01, 2006 12:00AM
The question is "could I have Herpes and have a normal Pap Smear"

by monkeyflower, Jan 01, 2006 12:00AM
Yes, you can have herpes and still have a normal pap smear - I have HSV and have never had an abnormal pap smear. You can also have herpes for years and never have an obvious outbreak, which is why most people with herpes never know it unless they specifically ask to be tested.



But really, it couldn't be more pointless and counterproductive to get into the whole blame thing with your partners. You could have given it to your ex, or he could have given it to you, or you might not have it at all. I know it's tempting to point a finger, but seriously it makes no difference.

by mrsfraser, Jan 03, 2006 12:00AM
herpes can only be tested when u have a blister.many have herpes and don't know about it.my hubsband has hv2.he contacted it from a public bathroom.i had pep smear this past fall it all came back normal.if u have a blister like spot go to doctor right away and have it checked for herpes v1 or v2

by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jan 04, 2006 12:00AM
To: mrsfraser
You are wrong.  People can be tested for herpes (blood test) without having blisters or other leasions.  And herpes is only transmitted by sex; nobody ever contracts herpes in a public restroom (unless they have sex with someone in the restroom!).  You need to either learn the facts about herpes or stop posting on this forum.  (But you are right that most people with genital herpes don't know it.)



HHH, MD

by Unhappycamper, Jan 04, 2006 12:00AM
Yeah , Im wondering to your comment about "You get herpes if you have sex" well I have some of the symptoms but I NEVER HAD SEX!

I never did b/c I thought I had herpes , So do I have something else ? or something?

by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jan 05, 2006 12:00AM
To: Unhappycamper
If you have never had sex, you can be certain your genital symptoms are not due to herpes.  See a health care provider.



HHH, MD

by life_is..., Jan 06, 2006 12:00AM
I don't know Doc... about my case, its really devastating. But Anyway, Thanks for this forum & your wisdom & knowledge.Thanks a lot even i cannot ask a questions yet but I wanna thank you & to some members here for their knowledge. I agree to Dr. H that some patient have more knowledge than some provider. Imagine in my case, my provider said you are positive both Herpes 1 & 2 no matter you want another test, u will always be a positive. I mean she's nice but who is she to tell like that. So, I asked my result both are low & then with in 6 months that my husband & I been together those time... why, if i have them why my husband negative for herpes 1, 2 & warts? why He doesn't have yet. I mean, I don't want to transfer if I really have them, but those time we both don't know... I told to my provider, I was a virgin before i get married, where i get those? So that's why, I'm so frustrated right now, my husband doesn't like to have it. So he keep talking about divorce...



In my case my pap smear was normal, then they diagnosed that i have genital warts inside then they burned. I don't know if they are telling the truth.. or how really accurate to diagnose it that i have warts. Too many questions in my mind that makes me anxious, having anxiety attacks, depressions & fears...found myself in the ER & urgent care... I'm just hoping that someday i can ask questions to Dr. H about my problems. But even I don't have the opportunity to ask, i still wanna thanks for this forum & to Dr. H... I just don't have own money to donate & so i can ask questions.



To everyone, do herpeselect 17170x, thats what they said about the code. To those low positve... there are different types of codes so be careful to choose for the second time. I still waiting my second result although not 17170x but if ever came back positive, i will do that(17170x). I'm just wonder, its almost a month ago but they never call for the 2nd result. I've done with the biokit USA & I'm negative but I cannot rest yet & so my husband. I do have already a mailing tube for my western blot but no provider accept yet to draw my blood.



by need2no, Jan 16, 2006 12:00AM
I have a bf that is postive for Herpes.  I have had 3 occurances, all 3 times a small "rug burn like" sore appeared, 3 doctors have swabbed the sore to tell me the test was negative.  They said that it doesn't look like Herpes