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| WHAT
IS IT?:
Vaginal inflammation and infection, not strictly an STD |
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| CAUSE:
Gardnerella vaginalis (aka Hemophilus vaginalis, bacterial vaginosis). The infection is caused by a change in the balance of bacterial organisms that exist in the vagina. |
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| TRANSMISSION
Sexual contact |
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| SYMPTOMS:
FIRST APPEARANCE: ??? since it is an imbalance of vaginal organisms WOMEN - 50% of women have no symptoms. Gray discharge with a pungent fishy odor. MEN - Men typically have no symptoms but can be carriers |
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TESTS:
Typical clue cells (bacterial laden epithelial cells) are seen on microscopic exam. Fishy odor of the discharge is characteristic of Gardnerella. |
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| TREATMENT:
Antibiotics (metronidazole, clindamycin, ceftriaxone, ampicillin and tetracycline). To avoid the ping-pong effect, male partners should be treated. |
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| CURABLE:
Yes |
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| LIFE
TIME EFFECTS FOR YOU:
None unless further research proves a relationship to PID, infertility, premature infants and low-birth weight infants. |
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| COMMENTS:
It is suspected, but not proven at this time, that Gardnerella may be associated with pelvic infections, infertility, ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, premature birth and low-birth weight in infants born to infected mothers. |
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