Vaginal Disorders and STDs Flashcards
what are the general characteristics of vaginitis
- Vaginal sx’s (abn. discharge, unpleasant odor, itching, & burning) common reasons for GYN eval
- Typically lead to Dx of:
A. Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
B. Parasitic vaginitis (trichomoniasis)
C. Yeast vaginitis (vulvovaginal candidiasis; VVC)
What is the most common etiology of vaginitis?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
What is the ddx for vaginitis
- Candidiasis (VVC)
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Trichomoniasis
- Atrophic vaginitis
- Chemical (allergens)
- Foreign body
- Uterine abnormalities
- STDs
- Cervicitis
- Douching
What is vulvovaginal candidiasis?
Overgrowth of candida albicans (80-90% of cases)
What are the common sxs of vulvovaginal candidiasis?
- Vaginal burning & pruritus
- Vulvar erythema (fire engine red w/ satellite lesions)
- Contact dysuria (during urination)
- Thick, white cottage cheese like vaginal discharge
- Labia may be erythematous & edematous
How is vulvovaginal candidiasis dxed?
- Wet prep of NS (-) & KOH
- KOH -> (+) hyphae & buds (spores)
- Normal pH 4.5 (litmus paper remains yellow)
- Gold standard: vaginal culture; now have triple screen for yeast, BV, trich
A. Affirm is a Nucleic acid (DNA) probe assay
How is vulvovaginal candidiasis treated?
- Imidazoles: fungal agents that interfere w/ production of cell wall
A. Oral: Diflucan 150mg x 2 pills; stat & 3 days later prn
B. Creams: Monistat, Terazol, Gyne-Lotrimin, etc.
-1,3,7 day treatments
C. Suppositories: as per creams
-1,3,7 day treatments
D. Rx & OTC
How is vulvovaginal candidiasis prevented?
- Cotton underwear helpful, loose fitting clothing;
A. Synthetic or tight material holds moisture - Keep vulva area as dry as possible
- Control underlying illness: DM, HIV, Obesity
- Low sugar diet
- If frequent VVC, think about changing OCP
- Prophylactic antifungals after Abx
- NO douching
What may chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis indicate?
1. If frequently recurrent, R/O chronic disease: A. DM B. HIV C. Urinary problems D. Obesity
Define bacterial vaginosis
- Non-sexually-transmitted disorder
- Overgrowth of bacteria
- Most common cause of vaginitis sx’s in women of child bearing age
- No specific guidelines for prevention: may be same as candida guidelines
What bacteria can cause bacterial vaginosis?
1. Many pathogens: A. Mobiluncus sp B. Gardnerella vaginalis C. Anaerobic bacteria D. Gm (-) bacteria E. Peptostreptococcus sp
What are the sxs of BV?
- Thin white or gray vaginal discharge that is fishy or malodorous
- Minimal inflammation
- Usually non-irritating, can have itching & burning
- Recurrence is common
A. May have 2° vaginal infection
B. Use management strategies
How is BV tested for?
- Pap smear
- DNA probe (Affirm)
- Check pH
- NS wet prep
- KOH wet prep
How is BV dxed?
- Thin vaginal discharge
- (+) Whiff test –amine (“fishy”) w/ KOH prep
- (+) Clue cells: epithelial cells w/ borders obscured by the presence of excessive bacteria) on wet mount or PAP
- ↑ vaginal pH >4.5
- (+) Affirm probe
How is BV treated?
- Clindamycin Vaginal Cream 1 applicator PV hs x 3 or 7 days
- MetroGel Vaginal 1 applicator PV hs x 5 days (bid x 7 days )
- Metronidazole 500mg po bid x 7-10 days
- Clindamycin 300mg po bid x 7 days
- Tindemax (timidazole)
2 gm po x 2 days (? CA)
What are the management/prevention strategies for BV?
- Condoms
- Longer Tx periods
- Aci-Jel (acid jelly) after Tx
- Immune system stimulators:
A.Vit. C, Zinc, Echinacea qd - Oral probiotics
- Monogamous relationship
- RePhresh lubricant
- Cotton underwear
- Loose fitting clothing
- Ice packs prn
- Sitz baths
- Good hygiene
- No douching
- No FB in vagina
- Estrogen supp for atrophic vaginitis
What are the sxs of chlamydia trachomatis?
- Most women w/ chlamydial infection have minimal or no symptoms
- +/- odorless, mucoid vaginal discharge, typically w/out external pruritus
How is chlamydia trachomatis dxed?
Diagnosed with GC/Chlamydia Cx
What are the complications of chlamydia?
- STD infects cervix & can cause conjunctivitis & PID
A. May infect fetus (eyes) at birth
B. Starts as cervical infection, but can ascend reproductive tract to endometrium & fallopian tubes -> PID & salpingitis
What are the complications of neisseria gonorrhea?
- Similar to Chlamydia, Neisseria gonorrhea can colonize at cervix & ascend to cause PID & salpingitis
- Can cause neonatal conjunctivitis
A. Ophth. Erythromycin prophylaxis