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Women's health

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Original poster

Superdrug smear test

18 replies

Ballstothis148 · 01/02/2021 23:39

Hello :) I had a smear a year ago and it came back with HPV, so I need to go into the GP again for a test. Problem is I joined a family members bubble across the other side of the country and can’t get to my GP... so I found there’s a Superdrug test you can do. Has anyone done it, is it ok or tricky to do? Only £48 (a lot in a way but would rather safe than sorry). Many thanks in advance

OP posts:
MonkeyPuddle · 01/02/2021 23:42

Register as a temporary patient in your current area and have the test done by an experienced sample taker and with the ability to rapid refer to colposcopy/gynae if needed.

Youngatheart00 · 01/02/2021 23:44

I wouldn’t risk something important like this with a home test which could be prone to error and likely less accurate than an NHS one.

As a PP has said, register with a practice as a temporary resident. Smears are something the NHS is encouraging people not to delay due to the pandemic.

Original poster
Ballstothis148 · 01/02/2021 23:47

I really would but family member is vulnerable and shielding :( absolutely gutted as don’t want to risk my health either - they get the first vaccine soon so maybe can sort after that

OP posts:
StillWeRise · 01/02/2021 23:53

I can't imagine how you could do your own cervical smear ! as PP said, register as a temporary patient and go and get it done, your health is important

AdoraBell · 01/02/2021 23:57

Speak to the GP surgery, see if you can speak to the nurse/doctor who would be do the smear test. They should be able to advise you.

SirenSays · 02/02/2021 00:03

I've seen this and have been contemplating this myself. From what I understand the GP won't test for abnormal cells now during a normal smear, only HPV, which would make it the same as the superdrug test I think. I may be wrong on this though.

Angel2702 · 02/02/2021 00:04

The Superdrug one is not a smear test it is an HPV test. So if it’s positive for HPV you will still need to go for a smear test at the Dr.

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 02/02/2021 00:06

I just went for a smear test. Drove to gp. Phone special number on arrival. Told to go straight in, wearing a mask. Met at door by receptionist wearing mask / visor / apron. Infrared temp check, socially distanced. Directed to standing only waiting area. Stood alone in middle of empty waiting room. After a min or so called to nurses room. Went in masked/visored nurse directed me straight to couch. Few questions while on opposite sides of the room. Curtain pulled. Undressed. Nurse approached, took sample. Retreated. Short round up of next steps then directed me straight out of the fire escape and back onto the street. Back to the car in barely 5-10mins. Almost felt like it didn’t happen or a surreal dream it happened so fast.

MotherQueenXeno · 02/02/2021 07:19

I did this recently. As someone has said, it's not a smear test it's a vaginal swab which tests for HPV. It's easy to do once you have read the instructions, results took about 10 days to come back.

Since smears are only tested for HPV now anyway I don't really see how it's any different.

PurpleDaisies · 02/02/2021 07:20

Since smears are only tested for HPV now anyway I don't really see how it's any different.

During a smear, someone looks at your cervix. That can reveal problems. This test isn’t as good.

4redSocks · 02/02/2021 07:37

@Angel2702

The Superdrug one is not a smear test it is an HPV test. So if it’s positive for HPV you will still need to go for a smear test at the Dr.
How can you get a HPV result from any other way but having a smear? I didn’t know there was a test to get a HPV result other than by having a smear.
Angel2702 · 02/02/2021 08:42

@4redSocks The HPV part of the smear test is a swab the same as this test. They only test the actual smear test sample part of the smear test of the swab they take comes back positive for HPV now.

4redSocks · 02/02/2021 12:56

@Angel2702 ahh thanks for the info.

BikeRunSki · 02/02/2021 12:59

@Justyouwaitandseeagain, but the op is staying in a family bubble away from home.

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 02/02/2021 15:03

[quote BikeRunSki]@Justyouwaitandseeagain, but the op is staying in a family bubble away from home.[/quote]
I know but someone suggested approaching a local GP as a temporary resident but OP seemed nervous because her family are shielding. Just wanted to reassure about my experience in case it is possible for her (or others) to get a smear test via a GP at the moment.

RedWelliesAreHot · 02/02/2021 18:05

I don't know if this helps @Ballstothis148 but I've had a few dental appts recently and one of my bubble is vulnerable.

FWIW at the dentists, at least, they are very careful as it's a lot more up close and personal than having a smear. At least you and a nurse can both wear masks. Just wash your hands and clothes (if you have sat on chairs etc) once you get home.

stclair · 02/02/2021 18:18

If the smear came back positive to hpv the lab would then look for cell changes. With a positive hpv swab (which could be very likely if last smear was positive), you would still need a smear for the cell change check. Apologies if someone up thread has already said all this!

Original poster
Ballstothis148 · 02/02/2021 19:33

Thank you so much for the replies :) I’m very pro smear test but really worried about those in my bubble... will do it ASAP once they have the vaccine. I’m more worried if it comes back that I need any work done if I still have HPV and that’s more trips outside my bubble. Want to get it done though! Thanks so much for all that info Flowers

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