The Pap smear test is used to screen for cervical cancer by finding abnormalities of the cells of the cervix... Since the introduction of the Pap smear test in the United States in 1941, performing this test has been associated with a significant decrease in the death rate from cervical cancer.

Although cervical cancer can be fatal if left untreated, it usually progresses slowly. Pap smear tests detect changes in the cervix early enough for effective intervention.

According to the recommendations of the guidelines, women aged 21 to 65 should have a Pap smear every three years. The guidelines allow women aged 30 to 65 who have also been screened for human papillomavirus (HPV) every five years. HPV is a virus that can cause cervical cancer.

A Pap smear test is often done at the same time as other sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests, such as HIV. However, a Pap smear test is not used to check for HIV.

What happens when a Pap smear detects abnormal cells?

If the Pap smear test shows the presence of abnormal cells in the cervix, the doctor may recommend a colposcopy.

A colposcope uses low magnification to visualize abnormalities in and around the cervix. At that time, the healthcare provider may take a sample, which is a small piece of tissue, for laboratory testing.

In recent years, direct testing for the presence of HPV DNA has become possible. Collecting a tissue sample for DNA testing is similar to a Pap smear and may be done at the same visit.

What tests are available for AIDS or HIV?

According to the official Center for Disease Control, people aged 13 to 64 should be tested for HIV at least once.

For HIV screening, a home test can be used or the test can be performed in a health care provider's office.. Even if a person is tested annually for sexually transmitted diseases, they should not assume that any particular test, such as an HIV test, is part of a routine screening.

Anyone who wants to be tested for HIV should discuss their concerns with their health care provider.. This can start a conversation about when and if STD screenings should be done.. The appropriate screening program depends on the individual's health, behavior, and age..

Which lab is the HIV test done? be?

If HIV screening is done in the office, one of the following three tests will likely be done:

• Antibody test, which uses blood or saliva to detect proteins synthesized by the immune system in response to HIV
• antibody and antigen test, which evaluates the blood for proteins associated with HIV
• RNA test, which checks the blood for any genetic material associated with the virus

Recently developed rapid tests do not require analysis of results in a laboratory. These tests look for antibodies and can provide results in 30 minutes or less.

The initial test will probably be an antibody or antibody/antigen test. Blood tests can detect lower levels of antibodies than saliva samples. This means blood tests can detect HIV earlier.

If a person tests positive for HIV, a follow-up test is done to determine whether the person has HIV-1 or HIV-2. Health care providers usually determine this using an immunoblot test.

What kind of home screening is done forHIV?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two home HIV screening tests... These are the Home Access HIV-1 Test System and the OraQuick Home HIV Test.

In the home access HIV-1 testing system, a person draws blood from a needle and sends it to a laboratory for testing.. They can call the lab to get the results within a day or two. Positive results are usually retested to make sure the result is correct.

This test is less sensitive than the test that uses venous blood, but it is more sensitive than the oral swab test.

The OraQuick HIV home test uses a saliva swab. Results are available within 20 minutes.

What can people who are concerned about HIV do now?

Early testing is the key to effective treatment.

"We recommend that everyone get tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime," says Michelle Cespedes, MD, a member of the HIV Medical Association and associate professor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

He says: The result of this work is that we identify people before the destruction of the immune system. "We treat them early to prevent them from becoming completely immunocompromised.

People with known risk factors for HIV should evaluate their options. They can make an appointment with their health care provider for a lab test or order a home test.

If they choose to test at home and they get a positive result, they can ask their healthcare provider to confirm the result...after that, they can work together to evaluate options and plan next steps.

For advice about AIDS or the HIV virus, consult an infectious disease doctor.

For advice on women's diseases, consult a gynecologist and obstetrician.