What is bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition that happens when there is too much of certain bacteria in the vagina. This changes the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina.
Signs and Symptoms
- Some women have no symptoms
- Strong “fishy” vaginal odor, especially after sex
- Abnormal vaginal discharge – white or grey, watery or foamy
- Pain during urination
- Vaginal itching
Transmission
It is unclear what causes the imbalance in vaginal bacteria that leads to BV. However, some behaviors can increase a woman’s risk of BV:
- Having a new sex partner
- Having multiple sex partners
- Douching
Complications
- In pregnant women, having BV can increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
- Having BV makes it easier to transmit or acquire HIV during sex.
Prevention
- Avoiding vaginal sex may reduce a woman’s risk of getting BV.
- Limit the number of sex partners.
- To maintain “healthy” vaginal bacteria, do not douche.
Testing and Treatment
- Get a test from a medical provider if infection is suspected.
- BV can be cured using medication prescribed by a medical provider.
- Male sex partners do not need to be treated at the same time.
NOTE: BV can recur after treatment.
What is genital herpes?
Genital herpes is an STD caused by two types of viruses. The viruses are called herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex type 2
Signs and Symptoms
- Most people may never develop symptoms or the symptoms are too mild to notice.
- Develop within 2-30 days, or longer, or not at all.
- Small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on genitals, mouth, or anus.
- Blisters progress to open sores that crust over and heal within 1-2 weeks.
- Blisters may be “hidden” in the vagina.
- The first episode is most severe, and subsequent episodes are milder.
- Itching or burning on the skin in the area where blisters are about to appear.
- Initial infection is often accompanied by fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Blisters go away, but infection is still in the body.
- Blisters can return periodically, but usually with shorter duration and less severity.
Transmission
Genital herpes is spread by:
- Vaginal sex
- Oral sex
- Anal sex
- Contact with infected person’s lesions
- Infected mother to newborn
Herpes can also be spread from one area of the body to another via contact with or touching an infected area.
Viral shedding may occur in the absence of blisters, so transmission is possible when lesions are absent. Most transmission occurs in the absence of sores.
Complications
Genital herpes can:
- Spread to sex partners
- Make infection by other germs, like HIV, easier, as the blisters provide easy entry to other STD germs
- Cause recurrent painful outbreaks
Genital herpes and pregnancy
- Most pregnant women with recurrent genital herpes deliver normal infants.
- Newborns may acquire an infection from the mother during delivery.
- Infection in newborns may cause death or severe damage to the brain, lungs, and liver.
- Risk is highest for infants born to mothers who have first episode of genital herpes during pregnancy.
Prevention
Avoiding vaginal, oral, or anal sex is the best way to prevent STDs.
- Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of genital herpes only when the infected areas are covered or protected by the condom.
- Always use latex condoms during vaginal and anal sex.
- Use a latex condom for oral sex on a penis.
- Use a latex barrier (dental dam or condom cut in half) for oral sex on a vagina or anus.
- Limit the number of sex partners.
- Notify sex partners immediately if infected.
- When pregnant, inform the doctor if you were previously infected with herpes.
- Never have sex with someone who has genital herpes when sores are present.
Testing and Treatment
- Get a test from a medical provider if infection is suspected.
- No cure is available; infection persists for life.
- Recurrent episodes of blisters can be decreased by taking an antiviral medication each day.
- Treatment of recurrent episodes generally shortens the length of outbreaks.
- Comfort measures are available for recurrent episodes.
Contact Information
STD Prevention
4815 W. Markham St., Slot 33
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: 501-661-2408
Fax: 501-661-2082
[email protected]
