Gynae Infection Flashcards
What are the investigations for suspected gynae infections?
- pH
- Normal pH = 3-5-4.5
- Low pH = candida
- Normal pH = physiological, candida
- Raised pH = contamination (blood, semen, lubrication), BV, TV
- Swabs
- Double swabs
- Endocervical swab - gonorrhoea, chlamydia
- High vaginal - (fungal and bacterial) BV, TV, candida, GBS
- Triple swabs:
- Endocervical - chlamydia
- Endocervical – charcoal swab - gonorrhoea
- High vaginal - fungal and bacterial (BV, TV, candida, GBS)
- Double swabs
- Bloods: HIV, syphilis
What are the general signs and symptoms of gynae infections?
- Discharge – smell, consistency, colour, amount
- Itch
- Blood
- FLAWS – infection, immunosuppression, cancer
- Pain
- Pregnant
- Urinary symptoms – frequency, urgency, pain
- Sexual history – partners, barrier, STIs
What is the diagnosis?
Physiological
What is the diagnosis?
Polyp
What is the diagnosis?
Ectropion
What is the diagnosis?
Candida
What is the diagnosis?
Trichomoniasis
What is the diagnosis?
Gonorrhoea
What is the most common cause of vaginal discharge?
Bacterial vaginosis
What are the risk factors for bacterial vaginosis?
- Smoking
- Vaginal Douching
- Bubble Bathing
- Sexual activity
- New sexual partner
- Other STIs - vaginosis isn’t a STI
- Copper IUD
- Vaginal pH increase
What are the protective factors for bacterial vaginosis?
- Condoms
- Circumcised partner
- COCP
What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
- Asymptomatic (50%)
- Offensive, fishy-smelling discharge
What are the appropriate investigations for suspected bacterial vaginosis?
- Diagnosis = clinical + microscopy
-
Hay-Ison criteria or Amsel’s criteria
-
Amsel’s criteria = 3 out of 4:
- Thin, white, homogenous discharge
- Clue cells on microscopy
- Vaginal pH >4.5
- Fishy odour on adding 10% KOH
-
Hay-Ison criteria applied to gram stain
- Grade 3 = BV
-
Amsel’s criteria = 3 out of 4:
What is the management of bacterial vaginosis?
- No treatment is needed if asymptomatic
- 1st line – metronidazole
- 2nd line – intravaginal clindamycin PV cream
- Avoid vaginal douching, shower gel, use of shampoo in bath
What is the complication of bacterial vaginosis?
- Associated with:
- Late miscarriage
- Preterm birth
- PROM
- Postpartum endometritis
- Increases risk of acquiring and transmitting STIs
What is the route of transmission of trichomonas vaginalis?
STI - more common in developing countries
What are the signs and symptoms of trichomonas vaginalis?
- Asymptomatic in 50%
- Symptomatic:
- Green/yellow “frothy” vaginal discharge
- Vulval itch or vaginal soreness
- Offensive odour
- Lower abdominal pain and dysuria
- Dyspareunia
- O/E = strawberry cervix
What are the appropriate investigations for suspected trichomonas vaginalis?
- High vaginal swab
- Endocervical swabs for other STIs
- Culture and gram stain
What is the management of trichomonas vaginalis?
- 1st line = Metronidazole
- 2nd line = Metronidazole
- Contact tracing, abstinence for 7 days, follow-up
What are the complications of trichomonas vaginalis?
- Pregnancy = PTL, LBW, PPROM
- Enhance HIV/STI transmission
What are the risk factors for candidiasis?
- Oestrogen exposure
- Pregnancy
- Reproductive years
- Immunocompromise (HIV)
- Diabetes (poorly controlled)
- Recent ABx (i.e. for a UTI)
- Intercourse
What are the signs and symptoms of candidiasis?
- Vulva itching
- Soreness
- Irritation
- ‘Cottage-cheese’-type discharge
What are the appropriate investigations for suspected candidiasis?
- No investigations usually required
- Diagnostic = HVS – microscopy, culture and gram stain
- Speckled gram +ve spores, pseudohyphae
- Other = MSU (UTIs), HbA1c (diabetes)
What is the management of candidiasis?
- 1st line – clotrimazole pessary + 1% clotrimazole cream
- 2nd line/Severe – fluconazole
- General advice:
- Avoid tight fitting synthetic clothing
- Avoid local irritants
- Do not wash female genitalia with soap/shower gels
- Do not douche
- If pregnant, only use topical treatment
What are the complications of candidiasis?
- Hepatotoxicity associated with systemic azole antifungal therapy – monitor LFT
- Oesophageal candidiasis or disseminated candidiasis in immunocompromised
What are the causes of cutaneous warts?
HPV infection – HPV 6 and 11
What subtypes of HPV cause cutaneous warts and cervical cancers?
- 6, 11 → 90% of cutaneous warts
- 16, 18 → over 70% of cervical cancers
What strategy can be used to prevent cutaneous warts?
HPV vaccine - Gardasil
What are the signs and symptoms of cutaneous warts?
- Often asymptomatic
- Vaginal discharge, PCB or IMB (local trauma), pain
- Genital warts on vulva, vagina, cervix, anus
- Generally painless but may itch or bleed or become inflamed