Pap Smear
A pap test is commonly used to detect cervical cancer, not HIV. A pap test, which is also known as a pap smear, looks for changes in the cells of the cervix, according to WomensHealth.gov. The cervix is the part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Pap tests can detect an acute infection, unusual or unhealthy cells in the cervix or cervical cancer. The pap smear takes a small sample of the cells from the cervix, using a small swab, and then places them on a glass slide where they can be looked at under a microscope. A trained pathologist will examine these cells and look for any abnormalities. Because cervical cancer often begins with abnormal cells, finding abnormal cells on the slide indicates that further testing and examination of the cervix is necessary to determine if there is a cancerous or precancerous area.
HIV Tests
An HIV test is typically done by taking a small sample of blood, although HIVtest.org mentions that there are other bodily fluids, such as saliva or urine, that can be tested. HIV testing works entirely differently, however, from a pap test. An HIV test detects the presence of antibodies to HIV. When the body is infected by a virus, it triggers a reaction within the immune system that causes small proteins, called antibodies, to appear. Because these antibodies are specific for the virus and will be different for each different kind of virus, the presence of HIV antibodies usually indicates that the person has been infected with HIV. An initial "positive" test must be confirmed by a second, more carefully performed test.
Pap Tests and HIV
Although the procedures for a pap test and for an HIV test are completely different, a gynecologist can often draw blood for an HIV test at the request of the patient after a pap test, thus eliminating the need for a repeat visit. In addition, according to WomensHealth.gov, women who have been diagnosed with HIV need to get pap tests more frequently. This is because HIV lowers the effectiveness of the immune system. As a result, women with HIV are more likely to develop certain diseases and cancers, including cervical cancer. WomensHealth.gov recommends that women who have been diagnosed with HIV get a pap test every year, regardless of the patient's age.
