HPV detection

Will a routine PAP smear test detect the HP virus?  My wife has this procedure done during her regular yearly exams, and says she has never been advised or told she had genital warts. I am not sure this test actuall tests for this, and I suspect she has the HPV, as she was exposed to gentital warts from a previous sex partner many years ago. How accurate is the PAP smear test in detecting HPV?

Ross1944

[simplynat]

The HPV test is taken at the same time as a pap but the pap test itself does not test for the virus. Depending on where you are from it might not always be standard procedure to include the HPV test during a pap. (In my country it is not always tested for) If I were your wife, I would specifically ask to have the test done. Keep in mind however, the HPV test only checks to see if there is an active strain of the virus and if so if it is high risk or low risk (warts). A person can test negative for HPV but still in fact have the virus if it is dormant in her system and the time of testing.