Fungal and bacterial infections of the genitourinary tract of a woman
INFECTION OF FUNGAL CANCER AND SROMU
Pruritus, soreness of the vagina, an ugly smell of vaginal discharge evoke understandable anxiety and suspicion of vaginal and urogenital infections. We divide vaginal infections into three main groups: trichomoniasis, fungal vaginitis caused by yeasts, bacterial vaginal infections.
What causes vaginal mycosis?
The disease is caused by yeasts, most commonly Candida albicans. The source of infection with them may be shared towels, soaps, bathing suits. Candida can also be transmitted through sexual contact, although in men it is usually asymptomatic infection. It should also be known that fungi, especially yeasts, are constantly present in many places in the skin, vagina, rectum, and gastrointestinal tract. Women are usually unaware that they have these microorganisms in their body, because they are harmless to health provided that the immune system is fully functional, while the vaginal microflora and its highly acidic environment are an impenetrable barrier. When due to the syndrome mentioned at the beginning of the causes of infection occurs - in 90% of cases, the fungus Candida albinans is responsible for the disease. (Hence the other name of ringworm - candidiasis).
Symptoms of vaginal mycosis
Symptoms of vaginal and vulval mycosis are usually dense creamy vagina with the characteristic appearance of whitish papules that smell of yeast and look like curd. In addition, there are a number of additional symptoms such as pruritus, burning, pain in sexual intercourse, painful urination. The skin and mucous membrane of the vulva and crotch is red, covered with whitish coating, which can be easily removed. It is accompanied by pruritus, redness of the vagina and vulva and pain during urination. The cause of these ailments is inflammation of the vagina and vulva caused by the presence of the fungus.
The development of the disease
The mycosis of the vagina and vulva develops very quickly if it encounters favorable conditions. These conditions occur, for example, during (or after) taking by the patient antibiotics with a broad spectrum of activity (most often for reasons unrelated to gynecological problems) or oral contraceptives. The development of mycosis is also conducive to wearing tight underwear, excessive use of inappropriate toiletries. In addition, steroid hormones, the use of oral contraceptives may be a favorable factor. Pregnancy and diabetes (the latter potentiating the presence of yeast in the vagina - glucose) - can have a significant impact on the development of the disease.
Treatment of vaginal mycosis
Treatment can only be carried out by a doctor. Usually, the doctor prescribes fungicides (ie antifungal drugs) in the form of globules, vaginal tablets or cream. They are used most frequently vaginally for the night for 2 - 3 weeks. Topical and oral treatment is used for the treatment, e.g. fluconazole (a strong synthetic antifungal drug from the triazole group, intended for intravenous and oral administration). Topical treatments also use special antibiotics to destroy infectious yeasts - eg clotrimazole, ketoconazole or nystatin. These antibiotics bind to fungal cell membranes, leading to metabolic disturbances in microbial cells and death.
Prevention of relapse
The problem in the treatment of fungal infections are quite frequent relapses. Therefore, it should be remembered that fungal infection can be passed between sexual partners and antifungal therapy also requires a partner, although for example, mycosis of the male genital tract may show no symptoms. The lack of simultaneous treatment of partners will result in relapse.
Supporting treatment
If you notice the first symptoms or recurrence of the disease, we can help you with a solution of vinegar (without the addition of alcohol). Supportive treatment with strong vaginal acidic agents, especially those based on polyderesulen, is preferred. The physiological acidity of the vagina also restores preparations containing lactobacilli in vaginal tablets. Do not use baths in irritants and avoid using soaps and perfumes disrupting the natural physiological acidity of the vagina.
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
Bacterial infection of the urogenital tract
In Latin - bacterial vaginosis - is a disorder of balance between the amount of individual types of bacteria, which constitute the physiological environment of the vagina. Due to the antibiotic treatment or reduced immunity of the system and immune disorders, there is an excessive multiplication of anaerobic bacteria, such as Mobiluncus, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma and Gardnerella. In bacterial vaginosis in the vagina is 1000 times more than in normal conditions, with only 1/10 being aerobic bacteria. The lack of proper recognition and treatment of bacterial vaginosis pomim with often minor ailments over time can cause serious complications. We include: an increased risk of miscarriage and preterm delivery, as well as endometritis and appendages, recurrent urinary tract infections, etc.
The factors predisposing to the development of bacterial vaginal infection are
- young age of a woman
- menstrual disorders, menopause
- use of vaginal tampons during menstrual bleeding,
- rinsing the vagina (eg after intercourse) of low quality with intimate hygiene preparations
- frequent changes of sexual partners
Is it possible to get infected by sex?
Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted disease, so a man who has a colonization of the urethra by his partner's bacteria during the relationship can not infect another woman. At the relationship with the next partner, these bacteria will be destroyed by proper defenses and hydrogen peroxide produced by lactobacilli in the vagina of a healthy woman.
How to recognize a bacterial infection?
It should be emphasized that the examination of vaginal cleanness, the grip of pruritus or vaginal pain, or bacterial culture are of no importance in the diagnosis of vaginal infections. Currently, the recommended test is the evaluation of the vaginal ecosystem, i.e. pH, odor, the presence of hedgehogs, trichomonas and yeast cells.
The diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis involves three of four characteristic symptoms:
- homogeneity of cellular vaginal discharge under a microscope (with a small amount of leukocytes),
- acid reaction of the vagina - pH> 4.5 (test with litmus paper, a special bacteriological test, etc.),
- a specific, fishy smell, increasing after sexual intercourse
- the presence of clue cells in a microscopic preparation, i.e. epithelial cells "coated" with bacteria like spikes,
- no burning or itching of the vagina and vulva.
Treatment of urogenital infections, including vaginal
Treatment consists of using orally and vaginally antibiotics to fight anaerobic bacteria. Topical use of, for example, the use of a clindamycin cream or metronidazole generally for 7 days, or for 7 days, is recognized.
Treatment of pregnant women is extremely important
As we have already emphasized, the healing of a bacterial infection reduces the frequency of preterm delivery and related complications fivefold. Thus, for example, in Germany it is recommended to self-control of pregnant women by pH testing with a litmus paper applied to the vaginal wall. If the pH rises above 4.5, please contact your doctor.
ABC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT INTIMATE INFECTIONS
We divide vaginal infections into three main groups:
- trichomoniasis, which causes protozoan, trichomonas vaginalis,
- fungal vaginitis caused by yeast (Candida sp.)
- bacterial vaginal infection, or bacterial vaginosis (BV).
How often does a woman's urogenital tract infection occur?
Infections with bacteria, yeast or trichomonas occur in every 7 women with vaginal discharge and pruritus. No wonder that this type of infection is one of the most common reasons for women to visit a gynecologist. Unfortunately, doctors say - they are too often late arrivals.
What symptoms should a doctor visit?
Pruritus, vaginal soreness, bad smell and unclean discharge - suggest infection of the vagina and urinary tract. The first effect of the visit at the gynecologist is a referral for microbiological examination of the vaginal swab.
The most common causes of vaginal infectionss
- antibiotic treatments,
- oral contraceptives,
- sexually transmitted infection, pregnancy,
- damage or irritation of vaginal tissue,
- diabetes,
- immunosuppressive drugs used in the treatment of cancer
- lack of hygiene or improper hygiene
- weakening of the physiological covers in the period following the menopause
Lowering immunity after antibiotic treatment.
In the first place causes of infections are antibiotic treatments, which, although prescribed to fight pathogenic microorganisms, also destroy micro-flora beneficial physiologically for the intimate places of women and the acid-alkaline balance protecting it against infections. Practically 3/4 of patients who take antibiotics on the occasion of influenza or other illnesses, visit the gynecologist two weeks later.
Before the visit of a sick woman to a gynecologist's doctor often passes a lot of time and the infection develops and sometimes even goes into a chronic condition.
In addition to a check-up or a visit related to pregnancy, women go to the gynecologist as soon as the SOS light shines before their eyes. The gynecologist should then examine her from top to bottom, including her breasts and close examination of the cervix, let alone the bacteriological examination of vaginal secretions. Pruritus, various types of irritation and increased vaginal secretion, which is somehow altered - these are the reasons for recommending microbiological examination of the vaginal swab. Unfortunately, some women who report symptoms of chronic vaginal infection already have more serious medical problems.
What threatens to stop treatment and postpone the visit to the doctor
Some women try to wait out the disease, not realizing that chronic vaginal infections endanger dangerous complications. Vaginal infection can take the form of an acute, multifocal. The cervix, the vestibular gland and the urethra may be affected. Chronic infection over time leads to adnexitis, risk of miscarriage and premature delivery, and even infertility.
ed. Edward Ozga-Michalski, MA
Literature:
1. Inflammation of the vagina; dr n.med. Waldemar Biernat, doc.dr hab. Sławomir Dutkiewicz and others. Therapy No. 2-February-2005
2. Occurrence, recognition and treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis; Jan Peterek from the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Military Medical Academy in Warsaw; Head of the Clinic: prof. dr hab. n. med. Andrzej Staszewski; New Medicine - Gynecology VII 1999.
3. Guidelines for the management of vaginal trichomonas - publication of Medycyna Praktyczna Translation from the publication of the original Clinical Effectiveness Group: K. Radcliffe (Chairman), I. Ahmed-Jushuf, M Fitzgerald, J. Wilson, J. Welch http://www.agum.org.uk/guidelines.htm (quoted 23.06.2003)
4. Basics of medical microbiology. prof. dr hab. med Maria Lucyna Zaremba and prof. dr hab. med. Jerzy Borowski - PZWL 1994
5. The study uses the statements of gynecologists: dr med Wacław Śmiertki, MD Adam Mościcki.
