Questions from Specific Conditions Section Flashcards
What are three common causes of vaginal discharge?
Bacterial Vaginosis
Candidiasis
Trichomoniasis- caused by trichomonas vaginalis (TV)
Note- discharge can also be physiological
Which conditions cause a fishy smelling vaginal discharge?
Bacterial vaginosis
Trichomonas vaginalis
What does the discharge look like in bacterial vaginosis?
Thin and white/grey
What does the discharge look like in trichomonas vaginalis?
Thin/frothy
What does the discharge due to candida smell like?
It is does not have an odour
What are the features of normal physiological vaginal discharge?
Clear
Odourless
pH <4.5
What associated features may be seen with candida?
Itching
Burning when urinating
Vulval oedema
What does the discharge look like with candida?
Thick and white
Like cottage cheese
If suspecting candida what investigation should be done?
High vaginal swab for candida culture
What associated features are there for bacterial vaginosis?
Usually none and around 50% are asymptomatic
No itch or soreness
Fish smelling discharge that is thing and grey.white
What pH is typically seen for bacterial vaginosis?
pH>5
What associated features are seen with trichomoniasis?
Itching
May be asymptomatic
What investigation should be done for any abnormal discharge>
High vaginal swabs
What is the causative organism in bacterial vaginosis?
Loss of lactobacilli and an overgrowth of other bacterial species- typically anaerobic organisms
How is the pH different in bacterial vaginosis?
There is an increase in pH as and the vagina becomes less acidic/more alkali
What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
May be asymptomatic Fish smelling discharge Thin discharge that is white/grey Vaginal irritation (less commonly)
What is the amsels criteria and what is it used for?
It is a criteria used for diagnosing bacterial vaginosis, at least three of the following should be positive:
1) Thin grey/white homogenous discharge
2) Positive amine test- release of fishy odour on adding alkali/10% KOH
3) Clue cells on microscopy (epithelial cells coated in bacteria)
4) pH of vaginal fluid >4.5
What investigation should be requested if someone has symptomatic bacterial vaginosis?
High vaginal swabs- Gram stain to examine vaginal flora, microscopy for clue cells and pH measurement
What is the Hay-Ison scoring system?
This is based on the results of the high vaginal swabs gram stain and microscopy
Grade 0= Epithelial cells only with no bacteria
Grade 1= Normal Vaginal flora (predominance of lactobacilli)
Grade 2= Intermediate vaginal flora (reduced number of lactobacilli with mixed bacterial flora)
Grade 3- Mixed bacterial flora only
Grave 4= Gram +Ve Cocci only
Grades 2 and 3 are consistent with a diagnosis of BV
Do all cases of bacterial vaginosis require treatment?
No- only if symptomatic
What is the recommended treatment for bacterial vaginosis?
Metronidazole 400mg Twice daily for 5 days
Or 2 g stat (Not in pregnancy, use BD course)
What topical therapies may be used in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis?
Intravaginal metronidazole gel (0.75%) OD for 5 days
Intravaginal clindamycin cream (2%) OD for 7 days
Lactic Acid Intravaginal Gel for 7 days- lack of evidence but also use weekly before and after periods for prevention of recurrence
How should bacterial vaginosis be treated in pregnant women?
Metronidazole 400mg for 5 days
Not 2g stat
What are some complications of BV?
Associated with a post-termination of pregnancy endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease
Associated with recurrent late miscarriage
How might recurrence of BV be reduced?
Metronidazole before and after periods- Days 1-3 and repeated at days 14-17
Or intravaginal lactic acid gel
What general measures should be recommended to women with BV?
Avoid vaginal douching
Avoid use of shampoo or anti-septic agents in the bath
Use of condoms during sex
What is the most common species that causes candida in women?
Candida albicans
What are the symptoms of a candida infection? (Thrush)
Cottage cheese like discharge- thick and white
Itching
Discomfort
Superficial Dyspareunia- painful sexual intercourse
Describe the discharge seen in a candida infection
Cottage cheese like
Thick and white
Non-offensive odour
If suspecting a candida infection what investigation should be done?
High vaginal swabs- microscopy and culture for candida
What is the treatment for a candida infection?
If asymptomatic and no problems are being caused no treatment is required- many women harbour candida species without any issues
If problematic-
- Anti-fungal pessary +/- cream for external areas
- Azole creams
- Fluconazole 150mg stat (avoid in pregnancy)
What pH changes are seen with a candida infection?
Vaginal pH is normally still acidic and less than 5 (unlike BV and TV which cause the vagina to be less acidic)
What are some risk factors for candida overgrowth?
Diabetes mellitus
Corticosteroid use
Frequent ABx usage
Immuno-suppression
What can be done for recurrent candida infections?
Oral anti-fungal agents or pessaries weekly or every two weeks or 4-6 months
How should candida be treated in pregnant women?
Topical azoles is recommended
Oral therapy is contra indicated
Do male partners of women with candida require treatment?
No they dont
Give an example of an azole cream
Canestan- cotrimazole cream
How does candida in men normally present?
Mild balanitis with pruritis (inflammation of the head of the penis with some associated itching
What might candida in men be an important sign of?
Sign of un-diagnosed diabetes (do a urine dip)
What is the treatment for candida in men?
Avoid irritants and drying agents like soap
Use emollient cream with or without azole cream
What is chlamydia trachomatis?
A sexually transmitted infection of an obligate intra-cellular bacterium
Note- chlamydia can also have vertical transmission and an infected pregnancy mother can transmit it to the neonate which can cause neonatal conjunctivitis or less commonly pneumonitis
What is the most common STI in the UK?
Chlamydia
What are symptoms of chlamydia infection in a women?
Most commonly asymptomatic (80%)
Post-coital bleeding or inter-menstrual bleeding
Lower abdominal pain (inflammatory process)
Purulent vaginal discharge
Dysuria- painful urination
What are the symptoms of chlamydia infection in a male?
Asymptomatic in up to 50%
Urethritis- dysuria (painful urination)
Urethral discharge (purulent)
Testicular/epididymal pain (epididymitis is the most common complication in men)
What are the main complications of chlamydia infection in women?
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) due to spread- this increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility
What ocular complication may be seen in patients with a chlamydia infection?
Conjunctivitis- due to auto-innoculation. Opacities can form in the cornea and this is called trachoma
What rheumatological complication may be seen in patients with chlamydia infection?
Can cause reactive arthritis- Abs attack bacteria and the components of the joint.
What tests need to be done to diagnose chlamydia?
Swabs need to be taken and sent for Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs). This uses different technologies including PCR for example.
What tests may be used in a male if suspecting a chlamydia infection?
Urethral swabs may be done or alternatively first void urinary (FSU)- this is not a MSU and urine should be held for at least 1 hour. Nucleic acid amplification tests are then done on this to investigate if it is chlamydia.
Where should swabs be taken from if suspecting chlamydia in a woman?
Vulvo-Vaginal (may be done by self)
Anus/Rectum if anal sex
Mouth if oral sex
Where should swabs me taken from in a man who has sex with other men if suspecting chlamydia?
Urethra/ or do FVU
Anus/Rectum
Oral cavity
Send all for Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests
What is the treatment for chlamydia?
Doxycycline 100mg BD for 7 days (Not if pregnant or breastfeeding)
Or Azithromycin 1 g stat
Or ofloxacin 200mg BD or 400mg od for 7 days
What is an important complication of chlamydia infection in women?
Pelvic inflammatory disease- risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility
Transmission to neonate- neonatal conjunctivitis and pneumocytitis
If diagnosing a patient with chlamydia, what need to be done to prevent further spread/re-infection?
Partner Notification- all recent (within last 6 months) and current sexual partners need to be informed . They need be informed and encouraged to seek medical help
Also encourage sexual abstinence till completion of therapy
How can the risk of contracting chlamydia be reduced?
Use a condom
What needs to be done at follow up for a patient treated for chlamydia?
Ensure partner notification has taken place
Exclude re-infection
Ensure compliance of the medications
(Routine tests of cure are not indicated- but are essential in pregnant women to prevent transfer to the neonate, NAAT may detect dead organisms up to 4 weeks after commencing therapy- so if testing for a cure do it at least 4 weeks after completing therapy)
Who should be checked using Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests after treatment for chlamydia to check for treatment success?
Pregnant women- essential to check for cure due to transfer to the neonate
Also- patients aged <25 years should be considered for re-test 3-6 months later as there is a higher risk of re-infection.
What is epididymo-orchitis?
Inflammation of the epididymis and testicles that is triggered by an infective agent
What are the symptoms of epididymitis?
Unilateral scrotal/testicular pain Scrotal swelling Orchitis- testicular tenderness Erythema of overlying skin Relieved on elevation of the testicle- this is called Phren's Sign. Important as testicular tortion is a not relieved by elevation of the testicles and is a surgical emergency requiring urgent surgical exploration
How can testicular torsion be differentiated from epididymitis?
Elevate the testicles
If pain reduces- epididymitis
If pain unchanged- torsion
Called Phren’s Sign
What are some other differentials of unilateral testicular pain?
Epididymitis
Orchitis
Inguinal hernia
Tumours- rarely painful
What should be considered the causative organism for epididymo-orchitis in patients aged below 35? How is this treated?
STI- Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia
Doxycycline 100mg BD for 14 days + Ceftriaxone 500mg IM
Or- Ofloxacin 200mg BD for 14 days
What should be considered the causative organism for epididymo-orchitis in patients aged over 35?
UTI causing organisms- treat according to local policy
How should a patient with epididymo-orchitis be assessed?
Take a sexual history
STI Screen
MSU
If STI isolated partner notification should take place
What simple measures should be recommend for patients with epididymo-orchitis?
Simple analgesics- e.g. paracetamol
Rest
Supportive underwear
What is the prevalence of HIV in the UK?
0.16%