Ask an Expert: I`m scared that I might have HIV

Gynecology

I`m scared that I might have HIV
10/25/2007

Question:

Salam Doctor, I`m sorry to bother you but I am scared. I have two toddlers and I take pap smears regularly. Recently my gynecologist called me to tell me my last pap smear is A typical or abnormal and i need to come in and take another one soon. I made another appointment next week, but mean times a dozen questions and concerns go through my head. Me and my husband were having conflict four years ago before my toddlers.

Is there any way that I could have HIV from him and he doesn`t know maybe? He doesn`t take tests. I took all the necessary exams with both my toddlers, don`t they test for HIV and wouldn`t any other STD have shown up while i was pregnant with them? Please put my heart at ease and try to help me with these questions.

Answer:

An atypical Pap smear can mean many things. It could be as benign as cervical inflammation from a yeast infection. If you are worried about HIV, then you need to get an HIV test. The Pap smear does not screen for HIV or STDs. It is looking for precancerous cells of the cervix. Atypical cells means the the cells don't look bad enough to be precancerous, but not perfect enough to be normal. A repeat Pap smear can usually clear this up.

If there is still atypical cells, then your doctor will look closely with a microscope and biopsy any abnormal areas.

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Response by:

Thomas A deHoop, MD
Formerly Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology
Director, Medical Student Education
No longer associated