Bacterial vaginosis
Name(s):
Haemophilus vaginitis
Gardnerella vaginitis
Nonspecific vaginitis
Coryenbacterium vaginitis
Anaerobic vaginosis
Nature
Bacterial vaginosis is caused by bacteria, including [Gardnerella], [Mycoplasma] and anaerobic bacteria. The main symptom is a fishy or foul-smelling thin homogeneous grayish white discharge from the vagina. Itching is uncommon.
Background
The microorganisms of the vagina were first studied in the late 1800's, but the name of this infection has changed over the years, as scientists learned more about the bacteria involved.
Incidence
Bacterial vaginosis is prevalent in 15 to 25% of the female population between ages 15 and 44. In one American study, 16% of pregnant women had bacterial vaginosis. If a mother has vaginosis, the chance of delivering a baby of less than normal weight rises by 40%, and the infection causes 6% of the premature deliveries in the USA. Treating the infection with antibiotics reduced the rate of premature deliveries in certain groups of women by 35%.
Broader
Aggravates
Type
(E) Emanations of other problems