Issue following my smear test

[Carly86]

I recently had a smear test done and received a letter from the NHS saying my result was normal. Its now nearly 3 weeks on from that and I have just received a letter from my GP practice saying that I need to make an appointment with the nurse as my smear result is through and I need a prescription! Now I am really worried and don't undestand what this could mean? My GP is not open til Monday, at which point I will call them but wanted to know in the meantime if anyone else has had this? I don't know what the prescription could be for as if I had abnormal cells - would need a referral for a colposcopy not a prescription and plus they already said my results were normal. I have googled it and apparently a smear does not show STDs or infection so I really don't know what this could be?! Any help/advice would be very much appreciated.

If you need a prescription it is would be likely that they noticed something minor like thrush. I would try not to worry too much

Ok, well sometimes infections or signs of infection such as Candida (thrush) can be seen on the cervical screening test. As the test is not specifically designed to pick up infections, the screening report will comment that something has been seen. It's then up to the sample taker/GP to take further action. This will often involve having a swab done and sent to microbiology (who do specialise in looking for this type of thing) to check for an infection, then medication if appropriate.

There was a change in national policy a few years ago so that because its not a specific test, no comment about possible infections is made on the result letter to the woman, it's left with the practice to take further if appropriate. I work in a screening lab so we do get queries from practices asking about cervical screening results where we've suggested there may be an infection.

HTH and please try not to worry.

Yep I had the same thing a year or so ago. Don't worry - thrush