Bacterial vaginitis
bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial infection of the vagina. While bacterial vaginosis is classically caused by Gardnerella vaginalis (a gram-variable facultatively anaerobic rod), it is usually polymicrobial. It is the single most common vaginal infection, and caused by imbalance of natural bacterial flora, in particular Lactobacillus, resulting in an overgrowth of mixed (Gardnerella vaginalis, aerobic and anaerobic) flora. It is not regarded as a sexually transmitted infection, and does not include yeast (candidiasis) or other (trichomoniasis) non-bacterial infections.Clinical findings
Discomfort; thin, grey, pungent (fishy odour) vaginal discharge; occasionally dysuria; vagina or vulva are generally not inflammed.
Risk factors
Cigarette smoking, obesity to prior pregnancy, history of induced abortion, single/never married.
Management
Antibiotics (metronidazole; clindamycin if symptomatic), topical yogurt/lactobacilli preparations, reduced frequency of douching or bubble bath soaps, use of hypoallergenic soaps.