Sexually transmitted infections

Kindly allow me to correct an error in the otherwise interesting and informative article "Giving thrush the flush" (September 10). The article states that a cervical smear test (Pap smear) can be used to diagnose sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as NSU (non-specific urethitis) chalamydia and trichomoniasis.

This is unfortunately an all too common misconception. The cervical smear test is a very valuable tool to diagnose early changes that may lead on to cancer of the cervix and, thus, permitting early and effective treatment. This is its only function and it was not intended and cannot diagnose any STIs.

Apart from the fact that the NSU cited is a male disease, all individual STIs require very specific and very different tests. Thrush, the main subject of the article, can be seen on a smear test but this is by no means the ideal diagnostic test.

In any case, thrush is not sexually acquired in the majority of cases. Moreover, changes seen on a smear test thought to be trichomonas are more often than not artefacts. Many female patients are unfortunately lulled into a false sense of security by a negative smear test, interpreting this as the absence of all disease.

Sexually transmitted infections can only be reliably excluded by other specific tests as are carried out routinely in the GU clinic at Boffa Hospital.