STDs 4 Flashcards
healthy vagina
- acidic with pH of about 4.5 (3.8-4.5)
- has a variety of bacteria, yeasts, & other microorganisms which occur naturally in the vagina’s acidic environment
- has lactobacilli
- makes a daily mucus like discharge that may look clear or a little milky
lactobacilli
- “good” bacteria
- maintains natural acidity in the vagina
- keeps other bacteria under control
vaginitis
-inflammation of the vagina
s/s of vaginitis
- discharge
- odor
- irritation
- itching
cause of vaginitis
infections which cause distress & discomfort
common vaginal infections
- bacterial vaginosis
- trichomoniasis
- vaginal yeast infection
- some can be transmitted sexually
cause of bacterial vaginosis
- non specific vaginitis
- change in the normal flora (lactobacilli)
- tissue trauma, intercourse
- douching, lack of vaginal lacto bacilli
s/s of bacterial vaginosis
- women
- thin, grayish, white vaginal discharge
- foul smelling, fishy odor
complications of bacterial vaginosis
- lichen sclerosis
- preterm rupture
- post partum endometriosis
diagnosing bacterial vaginosis
swab taken & examined under microscope
tx of bacterial vaginosis
- may clear on its own
- flagyl (OK for pregnant)
- clindamycin (OK for pregnant)
pt teaching for bacterial vaginosis
- refrain from sex until cured or use a male condom
- males can be a carrier, cannot be treated
cause of yeast infection
- candida albicans
- change in vaginal pH
- change in hormone levels
- use of antibiotics, DM, BC
- douching
female s/s of yeast infection
- cottage cheese like discharge
- itching
- swelling
- irritation/inflamed vulva & vaginal tissue
male s/s of yeast infection
- rash
- redness
- burning
- itching on penis
tx of yeast infection
- antifungal creams
- diflucan
- nystatin
pt teaching with yeast infection
tx are oil based and may weaken latex condoms
cause of trichomoniasis vaginalis
protozoa
*most common curable STD among women
transmission of trichomoniasis vaginalis
vaginal mucosa & secretions
s/s of trichomoniasis vaginalis
- asymptomatic in 50% women & 90% men
- women: pH, thin or frothy, malodorous discharge - yellow green or brownish gray; severe vulvar itching
tx of trichomoniasis vaginalis
flagyl
TORCH
- Toxoplasmosis = protzoa
- Others = syphilis, varicella, chlamydia
- Rubella = german measles
- Cytomegalovirus = a herpes virus
- Herpes
- more frequent in pregnancy
proctitis
inflamed anus & rectum
Reiter’s syndrome
- urethritis
- arthritis
- conjunctivits
