Clue cell on wet mount showing the vaginal epithelial cell covered with bacteria
The presence of Gardnerella on an otherwise normal Pap smear in a patient without symptoms is of no consequence.
If the Pap shows inflammation sufficient to obscure the reading and the cytologist asks for an earlier-than-normal repeat Pap, many physicians will treat the patient with Flagyl before repeating the smear. Others will simply repeat the smear at a somewhat earlier-than-normal time.