What can cause inflammation on a Pap smear?

Inflammation on a Pap smear can be found in a patient of any age and may be attributable to a benign infection—such as Candida vaginitis—that need be treated only if the patient is symptomatic. Sexually transmitted infections can also cause an inflammatory reaction on the cervix and should be treated accordingly.

What does it mean when a Pap smear shows inflammation?

Inflammation. If inflammation (redness) is present in the cells on the Pap smear, it means that some white blood cells were seen on your Pap smear. Inflammation of the cervix is common and usually does not mean there is a problem.

What does inflamed cervix mean?

Cervicitis is inflammation of the cervix — the lower end of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervicitis is common. It may be caused by a number of factors, including infections, chemical or physical irritations, and allergies. Determining the cause of cervicitis is important.

How do you treat an inflammatory smear?

If you have cervical inflammation due to cervical cancer or precancer, you doctor may perform cryosurgery, freezing abnormal cells in the cervix, which destroys them. Silver nitrate can also destroy abnormal cells. Your doctor can treat your cervicitis after they know its cause.

Can a Pap smear detect inflammation?

Sometimes a Pap smear will show signs of inflammation. Infections may be caused by a micro-organism such as Candida Albicans (Thrush). If inflammation is found further investigations or treatment may be needed.

Is inflammation on a Pap normal?

Inflammation is a common finding on pap smears. If it is severe, your doctor may want to try to determine the cause of the inflammation.

What is inflammation What are the symptoms and signs of inflammation?

Symptoms of inflammation include: Redness. A swollen joint that may be warm to the touch. Joint pain.

Can HPV cause inflammation?

Once established, persistent HPV infection leads to changes in the release of proinflammatory cytokines, which in turn may alter the infiltration of immune cells, causing inflammation.

How do you treat an inflamed cervix?

Antibiotics successfully treat cervicitis in most cases. If cervicitis is not successfully treated by antibiotics, laser therapy or surgery may be required. Your doctor can best determine the treatment for your cervicitis based on your age, habits, diagnostic tests, and the length of the condition.

Can you have cervicitis without an STD?

Q: Is it possible to get cervicitis without an STI? A: Yes, in some cases, cervicitis is not caused by an STI. Sexually transmitted infections are the most common cause of the condition, but it can also be caused by allergies, injury and vaginal bacteria imbalance (bacterial vaginosis), among other things.


What infections show up on a Pap smear?

Yeast, trichomonas, chlamydia, or gonorrhea infection can cause the cervical cells to appear inflamed. After the infection is treated, the Pap smear result usually returns to normal. If the Pap smear result is positive because of an infection, the underlying cause should be treated.

Can a yeast infection cause an abnormal Pap smear?

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and even yeast infections can cause a slightly abnormal pap smear. Your doctor will recommend the best course of action based on the results of your test. This can range from scheduling another Pap in three to six months, to getting a colposcopy.

What are the five categories of Pap smear abnormalities?

There are five main categories of abnormal Pap smear results within the Bethesda system:
  • Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). …
  • Squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). …
  • Atypical squamous cells that may or may not be HSIL (ASC-H). …
  • Atypical glandular cells (AGC). …
  • Cancer.

What is moderate inflammation in Pap smear?

Mild inflammation was defined as less than 30 inflammatory cells/high-power field, moderate inflammation was defined as 30 to 100 inflammatory cells/high-power field, and severe inflammation was defined as more than 100 inflammatory cells/high-power field.

What is acute inflammation?

Acute inflammation is the immediate response, characterized by the increased movement of plasma and leukocytes (such as neutrophils and macrophages) from the blood into the injured site/tissues [3,4].

What can cause an abnormal Pap smears besides HPV?

5 Common Reasons Your Pap Smear is Abnormal
  • You forgot to observe the pre-Pap recommendations. …
  • There is a slightly irregular cell that is nothing to worry about. …
  • You have a yeast or bacterial infection. …
  • HPV and other STDs. …
  • Cervical Dysplasia.