Non-STI Infections of the Genital Tract Flashcards
6 non-STI infections of the genital tract
- Vulvovaginal candidosis
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Balanitis
- Tinea cruris
- Erythrasma
- Infected sebaceous gland
Describe vulvovaginal candidosis
- AKA thrush (itch, discharge [thick, “cottage cheese” but often just report more discharge than normal] )
- Usually acquired from bowel
- 90% candida albicans
- Very common
- Often asymptomatic carriage (change in host’s environment triggers pathogenicity)
Risk factors for vulvovaginal candidosis
- Diabetes
- Oral steroids
- Immune suppressed (HIV)
- Pregnancy
- Reproductive age group
How to diagnose vulvovaginal candidosis
-Characteristic Hx
-Exam findings
Fissuring
Erythema with satellite lesions
Characteristic discharge
-Investigations
Gram stained preparation (low sensitivity)
Culture (low specificity)
Type of culture used to diagnose vulvovaginal candidosis
Sabouraud’s medium
Drug class and 2 examples for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidosis
- Azole antifungals
- Clotrimazole (500mg PV once)
- Fluconazole (150mg PO once)
Commonest cause of abnormal vaginal discharge
Bacterial vaginosis
Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis
- Watery grey/yellow “fishy” discharge
- May be worse after period/sex
- Sometimes sore/itch from dampness
- 50% asymptomatic
Cause of bacterial vaginosis
- Imbalance of bacteria rather than infection
- Biofilm problem
- Associated with vitamin D deficiency in black women
What is bacterial vaginosis associated with
- Premature labour
- Increased risk of HIV acquisition
Diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis
- Characteristic Hx
- Examination findings (thin homogenous discharge)
- Gram stained smear of vaginal discharge
2 drugs and their mode of delivery to treat bacterial vaginosis
- Metronidazole, Oral or vaginal gel
- Clindamycin, Vaginal
What must one avoid if taking oral metronidazole
Alcohol
