PID, Vag Discharge, UTI,STIs Flashcards
What is an abnormal vag discharge
State the principal causative organisms ( mention for vaginitis and mention for cervicitis)
State four associated symptoms with vag discharge
Vaginal discharge is a mixture of liquid, cells, and bacteria that lubricate and protect the vagina
Abnormal vaginal discharge is defined as discharge that is different from usual with respect to colour/odour/consistency (e.g. discoloured or purulent).
Abnormal discharge is often associated with vulvar pruritus or pain with intercourse (dyspareunia), or painful or difficult urination (dysuria) or lower abdominal pain.
Abnormal vaginal discharge may be a sign of infection of the vagina (vaginitis) and/or the cervix (cervicitis) or upper genital tract infection.
The principal causative organisms are:
In vaginitis: Bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis) and Candida albicans (candidiasis).
In cervicitis: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhoea) and Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia).
What does a normal Vaginal discharge contain and what is the normal pH of the vagina
What causes the normal pH of the vagina
State four factors that can contribute to a change in the composition of Vaginal flora (risk factors )
Vaginal pH is about 4.0 (3.8-4.5) due to the presence of Lactobacillus and other organisms converting Glycogen to Lactic acid.
•Lactobacillus also produces Hydrogen Peroxide that inhibits growth of other bacteria.
Contains vaginal and cervical epithelial cells, normal bacteria flora, water, electrolytes and other chemicals
17 – 29 bacteria species: diphtheroids, streptococcus, staph epidermidis, Gardnerella vaginalis, E-coli
Anaerobes- Peptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, Bacteroides
White or may be grey odourless
Acidic PH. Vaginal pH is about 3.8 - 4.2 due to the presence of Lactobacillus and other organisms converting Glycogen to Lactic acid. Lactobacillus also produces Hydrogen Peroxide that inhibits growth of other bacteria.
Age(changes in hormonal status))
Sexual activity(Semen and inflammation and STI)) (or abuse)
Hormonal status
Hygiene
Immunologic status
Underlying skin diseases
Drug abuse ( antibiotics,et )
Sex with a New partner without protection
Stress
Antibiotics
Contraceptives
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In a case of vag discharge, you need to find out if it’s due to STI causes or due to non STI causes
What are the features of a normal vag discharge
What will you want to ask in the history of someone w vag discharge
No smell
Clear fluid or white fluid
No associated symptoms such as itching or abdominal pain
History:
Age ( patient at extremes of ages . In menopause, it could be a cancer. In children it could be assault)
Duration ( short if normal and cyclical if it’s related to menses . Discharge that comes 2-3 days after menses could be a PID. Long and not cyclical if abnormal )
Colour( clear, pale, white if normal. Whitish cottage cheese appearance which is clumpy in candida, yellowish in trichomoniasis, greyish in Vaginosis,blood stained or bloody discharge (endometrial or cervical cancer) )
Quantity( may be scanty in normal)
Consistency( light or thin in normal, thick in abnormal if not related to ovulation)
Odour( not offensive in normal and fishy smell or fishy smell that worsens after sex in vaginosis)
Are they sexually active( or in the past one month have you had sex)
Was it unprotected?
MultiplePartners?
Does your partner have an STI or experiences discharges too? Do you have a previous history of STIs?
(Make sure the discharge isn’t related to sex. If it is, it’s likely to be an STI not a non STI discharge)
Do you have a previous history of PID or have you been treated for an STI or a PID?
Any associated symptoms such as itching(vaginosis doesn’t really cause itching), dysuria, frequency, urgency (urinary symptoms likely to be a UTI) , dyspareunia, fever, nausea,vomiting, chills, lower abdominal pain(likely to be an STI cause)
Ask about comorbidities such as DM , HIV,any disease that can cause immunosuppression
Ask about a foreign body( do you have an IUD implant? And in kids ask if they’ve recently put something in there while playing. Think of this especially when you treat and the thing isn’t going. Pass a speculum and check for a foreign body. It’s likely to be a foreign body)
If a child, rule out sexual assault (note that STIs and non STI causes aren’t common in kids so if it’s coming then there’s a problem)
Birth control method
Last menstrual period
Douching practice
Use of personal hygiene products
Antibiotic use
What is bacterial vaginosis and what causes it
How does it cause problems?
What’s re the characteristics of the discharge caused by BV?
State three risk factors that can predispose yoj to getting BV
Vaginosis refers to overgrowth of bacteria spec anaerobic bacteria in normal Vaginal flora. Loss of kactobacillus causes the overgrowth
This is an infection caused by a change in the vaginal flora, which refers to the community of organisms that live in the vagina. It is the most common cause of pathological vaginal discharge in women of childbearing age and accounts for 40–50% of cases. In BV, the vagina experiences a decrease in a bacterium called lactobacilli, and a relative increase in a multitude of anaerobic bacteria with the most predominant being Gardnerella vaginalis. This imbalance results in the characteristic vaginal discharge experienced by patients with BV. The discharge in BV has a characteristic strong fishy odor, which is caused by the relative increase in anaerobic bacteria.
Bacterial vaginosis
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The discharge is typically thin and grey, or occasionally green. It sometimes is accompanied by burning with urination. Itching is rare. Thin, greyish white, homogenous, malodorous discharge (fishy and worse after sex), adherent on vaginal walls.
•No inflammation
•Associated with upper genital tract infections
The exact reasons for the disruption of vaginal flora leading to BV are not fully known. However, factors associated with BV include antibiotic use, unprotected sex, douching, and using an intrauterine device (IUD).
Usually caused by douching or applying hygiene products
How is BV diagnosed and treated?(Pharma and non Pharma)
BV rarely causes itching. So discharge with itching is unlikely to be a BV especially if the other symptoms aren’t present. If there’s no sex history, shift towards candidiasis
Diagnosis:
Thorough hx and exam
Amsel criteria :
Homogenous whitish grey adherent discharge
pH more than 4.5
Clue cells on microscopy ( epithelial cells with bacteria around each cell)
Whiff test. At least three or more produces fishy pungent smell. Whiff test – 10% KOH gives Fishy smell in BV
Management:
Metronidazole, oral, 400mg 8 hourly for 5 days (contraindicated during the 1st trimester of pregnancy) Or
Metronidazole, oral, 2g stat. (contraindicated during the 1st trimester of pregnancy) Or
Secnidazole, oral, 2g stat. (contraindicated during the 1st trimester of pregnancy)
Timidazole 2g stat
Treatment for Vaginitis due to trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis for pregnant women in the 1st trimester: Clindamycin cream, 2%, vaginal, One applicator full at bedtime for 7 days
Non Pharma
Make sure you treat partner as well if there’s one
Iron underwear before you wear it or hang in the sun
Sit on salt water the big big salt causing a hypertonic solution
2times daily for 20 minutes
Cotton panties
Advice against douching
Avoid douching with herbal or chemical preparations Avoid use of medicated soaps around genital area
What is Vaginal candidiasis and what causes it
State four risk factors for getting candidiasis
Is it an STI
what are the characteristics of candidiasis discharge
Vaginal candidiasis results from overgrowth of candida albicans, or yeast, in the vagina. This is a relatively common infection, with over 75% of women having experienced at least one yeast infection at some point in their life. Risk factors for yeast infections include recent antibiotic use, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, increased estrogen levels, and use of certain contraceptive devices including intrauterine devices, diaphragms, or sponges. It is not a sexually transmitted infection.
Vaginal Candidiasis
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Vaginal discharge is not always present in yeast infections, but when occurring it is typically odorless, thick, whitish cheese like discharge, and clumpy. Vaginal itching is the most common symptom of candida vulvovaginitis. Women may also experience burning, soreness, irritation, pain during urination, or pain during sex
C albicans, C tropicalis, C glabrata
•Normal inhabitants in 50% of women
•90% albicans
•Risk Factors: oral contraceptives, IUD, early coitarche, frequent intercourse, cunninglingus, diabetes, HIV or immunecompromised states, Long term antibiotics use, Pregnancy
•Thick, odorless discharge, ‘cottage cheese’
•Associated with burning sensation, itchiness, dyspareunia, vulvar dysuria
•75% of women have at least 1 episode of candidiasis in lifetime
How is candida diagnosed and managed
Hx exam(general, pelvic exam )
High vaginal swab for microscopy, culture and sensitivity. Saline wet mount – clue cells in BV, Hyphae and budding yeast forms in Candida
Treatment for Vaginitis due to Candidiasis
Fluconazole, oral: Uncomplicated: 150mg stat. as a single dose; Complicated: 150mg 72 hourly for 3 doses; Recurrent: 150mg daily for 10 to 14 days followed by 150mg once weekly for 6 month OR
Clotrimazole, vaginal tablets, 200mg inserted into vagina at night for 3 days OR
Miconazole vaginal tablets, 200mg inserted into vagina at night for 3 days And Clotrimazole cream, vaginal, 1% or 2%, Apply twice daily for 3 to 7 days (for vulval irritation)
Nistatin cream especially for notorious ones
Non Pharma is the same throughout
Damp and tight fitting clothing
•Scented detergents and soaps
•Feminine sprays
•Poor hygeine
What is trichomoniasis and how does it cause problems
Characteristics of discharges
Risk factors
What is the incubation period of trichomonas
How is it acquired
Trichomonas vaginitis the third most common cause of vaginitis, is caused by trichomonads. Fusiform shaped, flagellated protozoan
It is an infection acquired through sex that is associated with vaginal discharge. About 70% of affected people do not have symptoms when infected. When symptoms occur, they typically begin 5 to 28 days after exposure.
The discharge in Trichomonas is typically yellowish- green in color. It sometimes is frothy and can have a foul smell. Strawberry cervix is pathogmonomic. Symptoms can include itching in the genital area, a bad smelling thin vaginal discharge, burning with urination, and pain with sex.
Risk factors include tobacco use, unprotected intercourse with multiple sexual partners, and the use of an IUD.
What is gonorrhea
State ten common risk factors
How is it spread
Characteristics of discharges
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea is spread through sexual contact with an infected person. This includes oral, anal, and vaginal sex. It can also spread from a mother to a child during birth. Infected women may experience burning with urination, vaginal bleeding between periods, or pelvic pain. Gonorrhea can also cause pus-filled(yellow) vaginal discharge, but Gonorrhea is similarly asymptomatic in up to 50% of cases. If the vaginal discharge is accompanied by pelvic pain, this is suggestive of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID),
Gonorrhoea
Common risk factors for gonorrhea:
Sexual contact with a person who has gonorrhea. Sex with a new partner without protection.
Unprotected sex with someone from an area with high gonorrhea burden.
Sexually active people under 25 years of age. Unprotected sex with multiple partners.
Being birthed by a person with gonorrhea. Low socioeconomic status
History of HIV infection.
What is chlamydia
What is the incubation period
Statesome common risk factors
How is it spread
Characteristics of discharges
Chlamydia infection, is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Most people who are infected have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear they may occur only several weeks after infection; the incubation period between exposure and being able to infect others is thought to be on the order of two to six weeks. This infection causes pelvic inflammatory disease, which may result in future infertility or ectopic pregnancy. Symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, abdominal pain, painful sexual intercourse, fever, painful urination or the urge to urinate more often than usual (urinary urgency).
Inflammation of the cervix from chlamydia infection characterized by mucopurulent cervical discharge, redness, and inflammation
State ten signs and ten symptoms of patients with Abn vag discharge
Symptoms
• Abnormal vaginal discharge - change in colour, odour, consistency or amount
Vulval itching
Vulval swelling
Pain on urination
Lower abdominal or back pain
Dyspareunia
Signs
• Abnormal vaginal
discharge
Vulval swelling
Vulval erythema
Lower abdominal tenderness
Cervical excitation tenderness
Cervical mucopus or erosions (on speculum examination)
• • • •
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On pelvic exam, what do you expect to see if BV, if candida, if trichomoniasis, if due to gono or chlamydia
Physical Examination
The physical examination of pubertal and adult
women should include a complete pelvic examination.
Physical findings associated with cervicitis from STDs include excessive vaginal discharge, erythema, and edema of the cervix. Fever, cervical motion, or abdominal or adnexal tenderness may indicate upper genital tract infection
Physical findings in bacterial vaginosis include a homogeneous, frothy vaginal discharge that is grayish-white to yellowish-white in color. Vaginal pH higher than 4.5 with a litmus paper.
Vaginal candidiasis may present with a well- demarcated erythema of the vulva. A thick, adherent, cottage cheese–like vaginal discharge may be seen. The cervix usually appears normal.
In trichomoniasis, the vulva may appear erythematous and edematous. Look for a copious, frothy, homogeneous vaginal discharge that can be white, gray, yellow, or green
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State six ddx for abn vag discharge
Urinary Tract Infection
Atrophic vaginitis
Cervical polyp
Contact dermatitis
Fistula
Foreign body
Trauma
Cervical cancer
PID
Cervicitis
Herpes simplex
Chemical irritation
State six investigations done for abn vag discharge
High vaginal swab for microscopy, culture and sensitivity. Saline wet mount – clue cells in BV, Hyphae and budding yeas forms in Candida – Large numbers of WBCs and protozoa seen for Trichomonas
Whiff test – 10% KOH gives Fishy smell in BV
In Vaginitis, Vaginal pH can be determined with litmus paper. Bacterial vaginosis - pH is 5.0-6.0
Vaginal candidiasis - pH is less than 4.5
T vaginalis infection - pH is 5.0-7.0
In Cervicitis, Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are preferred over the other tests, because they are highly sensitive and specific for diagnosing gonococcal and chlamydial infections.
STI rapid test kits for clamydia and gonorrhea
FBC
USS if pelvic pain is present
pH test – acid for Candida, base for BV and Trichomonas
•Cultures – often not necessary
•Gram staining- BV (clue cells)
•Pap smear ??
How is gono and chlamydia treated
Also check flow chart for how to manage vag discharge for syndromic management
Treatment for Cervicitis due to gonorrhoea.
Cefixime, oral, 400mg stat. And Azithromycin, oral, 1g stat. OR
Ceftriaxone, IM, 250mg stat. And Azithromycin, oral, 1g stat.
Treatment for Cervicitis due to Chlamydia
Doxycycline, oral,100mg 12hourly for 7days (avoid in pregnant and nursing mothers)
Or Erythromycin, oral, 500mg 6 hourly for 7 days
Or Azithromycin, oral, 1g stat. (recommended in pregnancy)
Treatment of the partner
When the patient is treated for vaginitis or cervicitis, the partner receives the same treatment as the patient, whether or not symptoms are present.