HSV and Pap Smears

[head3rd]

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

[troubledhousewife]

could i have a STD. i have a problem . seems odd. but yhe left side of my vagina is itchy n irrated always. i wash and use medicine but nother works. sores occur from the itchy irritaion. but would anyone know what could cause this or have may caused this? ihave had same sex partner for 11 yrs and 3 children durin that time. cant imagine it be a STD. but really not sure what this problem is from. someone plz help me figure it out. thanks sincerely troubledhousewife

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Thd Pap smear is to test for cervical cancer, not herpes.  If you want to check your herpes 2 status, you (and your partner) should have a serum antibody test for herpes 2 IgG.  Ask your doctor to order one.

Your partner's ex may not have herpes, and even if she does, it didn't necessarily come from your current partner.  Best to check it out.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff