Last week, I made a statement that women do have wrong
notions about vaginal discharge being acquired from the
toilet.
It was said that conditions leading to these symptoms are,
most times, not contacted by using dirty toilets but rather
are either sexually transmitted or through poor hygiene;
while they may also be transmitted through intimate
contact with the clothing of people who have such conditions.
Vaginal thrush, also known as vaginal yeast infection was
also discussed and defined as an inflammation caused by
a type of yeast called Candida albicans.
Most women have a vaginal yeast infection at some time.
Candida albicans is a common type of fungus. It is often
found in small amounts in the vagina, mouth, digestive
tract, and on the skin. Most of the time, it does not cause
infection or symptoms.
Case study
Miss Yetunde is a fresh graduate who was diagnosed with
candidiasis. She went for vagina swab culture in the
laboratory on her own. The result came out to be heavy
growth of yeast, confirming the diagnosis of candida
albican.
She was placed on both pessaries and oral antifungal for
the candida. Today, the story is different, as she feels
very okay and well.
Diagnosis
Candidiasis is the commonest cause of vulvovaginitis and
can be confirmed by microscopic examination and growth of
yeast from a swab from the vagina.
The importance of having a vaginal swab taken before
starting any treatment needs to be particularly emphasised
to the patient because laboratory confirmation of each
suspected infection is an integral part of the management.
Women should be advised to have a vaginal swab taken
whenever they suspect a recurrence.
A glucose test and an HIV test should also be done in cases
of recurrent yeast infections.
Treatment
Specific treatment for candidiasis involves inserting an
antifungal pessary into the vagina when the patient is
symptomatic.
A pessary is a small tablet that’s inserted into the vagina.
Many preparations are effective in the treatment of
candidiasis. A vaginal imidazole, inserted nightly for one
week, is recommended as the standard treatment for
candidal vulvovaginitis.
The use of an oral form of treatment, combined with
vaginal pessaries and a cream for external itching, will
definitely help to reduce recurrence.
Patients with recurring infections may need long-term
prophylaxis with an oral antifungal drug. The diagnosis
must be reviewed if patients do not respond to treatment.
Patients with frequently recurring thrush should seek
medical advice to make sure they do not have a medical
condition such as diabetes, HIV or immunosupression.
Some women are placed on long-term vaginal and oral
antifungal treatment. This therapy may be continued for
six months in the more troublesome cases.
Pregnant women who have had more than one proven
infection during their pregnancy will also benefit from
vaginal antifungal pessaries.
Male sexual partners of women with thrush do not require
treatment, except very occasionally when a woman has
recurrent infections or when the male has a rash or a sore
penis.
Complications of vaginal thrush
Persistent thrush infection may be difficult to control and
requires repeated treatments. Recurrent infections can
cause discomfort and affect sex life. Women affected may
feel down or anxious because of this.
Prevention
The following tips may help to reduce the risk of vaginal
thrush:
Wearing of cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing.
Avoidance of contributing factors (e.g., douching,
wearing tight pants, using perfumed soap or bath
cream).
Avoid use of products that irritate the vulv area,
including antiseptics or disinfectants, as these may
disturb the natural protective acidity of the vagina.
Women should always wipe from front to back after
using the toilet, to avoid spreading yeast from the anus
to the vagina.
Women should practise hanging of their underwear in
the sun to help in the reduction of persistent yeast
infections when convenient and appropriate.
Kindly visit my blog: www.doctoradesanya.blogspot.com for
more.
Concluded.
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