Bacterial Vaginosis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Bacterial (bak-TEER-e-ull) vaginosis (vah-jin-O-sis) is an infection (in-FEK-shun) of the vagina. It is also known as "BV" and is one of the most common vaginal infections that affect women. BV is one type of vaginitis (vaj-i-NI-tis). Vaginitis is an inflammation (in-flah-MAY-shun) (swelling) of the vagina. A bacterial vaginosis infection is usually gone in five to seven days with treatment. You can get this infection more than once.
  
  
• The bacteria that causes BV can sometimes infect the uterus (U-ter-us) (womb) and fallopian (fah-LOH-pee-an) tubes. This can lead to more serious infections that can affect pregnancy, or make it harder for you to get pregnant. If you are pregnant, BV can cause you to have your baby early or with a low birth weight. BV can also cause you to have a miscarriage (lose your baby). BV can increase your chances of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) like chlamydia (klah-MID-ee-ah), gonorrhea (gon-oh-REE-ah) or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
  
  
• You may have a thin white, gray, or yellow-colored vaginal discharge with a "fishy" smell. You may also experience itching or burning around the outside of the vagina. Some women do not have any symptoms at all. The cause of BV is not known, but some things may increase your chance of getting this infection. You are more likely to get BV if you are sexually active. Douching and using an intrauterine (in-trah-U-ter-in) device (IUD) may also increase your risk for BV.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of what medicines you take and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks), take them until they are all gone even if you feel better.
  
  
• If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.
  
  
• You may use ibuprofen (eye-bu-PROH-fen) and acetaminophen (a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen) for your pain. These may be bought as over-the-counter medicine at grocery stores and drug stores. Do not take ibuprofen if you have kidney disease or ulcers (sores in your stomach), or if you are allergic to aspirin.

How should I take care of myself while I have the infection?

• Antibiotic (an-ti-bi-AH-tik) medicine may be used to treat this infection. Unlike other vaginal infections, your sex partner may not need to be tested and treated.
  
  
• You should not use condoms if you are being treated for BV with a cream medication. Cream medications can weaken condoms. Talk to your caregiver about using condoms while using medication for BV.
  
  
• Do not douche unless your caregiver tells you. Douching upsets the germs that normally live in the vagina, and will not prevent or clear up vaginal infections.
  
  
• Use plain, unscented soap and always rinse soap from your vaginal area to prevent irritation from soap.
  
  
• Follow all of your caregiver's orders about what medicines to use, and when and how to use them.
  
  
• Do not drink alcohol while being treated. Alcohol may cause you to have a medicine reaction to certain medicine used to treat BV. Talk to your caregiver about drinking alcohol while using medicine for BV.
  
  
• Drink at least eight (8 ounce) cups of water or other liquids every day.

Prevention: The following are some ways to reduce your risk for BV:

• Use a latex condom. This helps prevent another infection and keeps your partner from getting the infection.
  
  
• Do not douche.
  
  
• Use all the medication that your caregiver prescribed for BV, even if your signs and symptoms are gone. Use the medicine exactly as ordered by your caregiver.
  
  
• Avoid the use of feminine sprays and powders, detergents and fabric softeners. These products may also cause vaginitis.
  
  
• Avoid using scented tampons or sanitary pads which can irritate your vaginal area.
  
  
• When you bathe, rinse soap from vaginal area to prevent irritation from soap.
  
  
• Wear underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch, and do not wear underwear to bed.
  
  
• Keep your vaginal area clean and dry. Always wipe from front to back after urinating or having a bowel movement (BM).

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• If your symptoms do not improve with treatment.
  
  
• You have vaginal bleeding that is not menstrual bleeding.
  
  
• Your symptoms come back after treatment.
  
  
• You have any problems that may be caused by the medicine you are taking.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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