Identifying vaginitis in general practice.

Clinicians conducted a study of 154 women who presented themselves at a health center of the University of Wales College of Medicine with symptoms of vaginitis. A nurse examined the vagina with a speculum to note the appearance of the cervix, the color and amount of discharge, and the presence of odor and inquired about soreness during the examination. The nurse took 3 endocervical swabs and 2 high vaginal swabs. Upon microscopic examination, any vaginal discharge with epithelial cells stippled with small coccobacilli indicated a possible Gardnerella vaginalis infection. Laboratory personnel identified G. vaginalis either alone or in combination with other organisms in 53% of the women. Those with G. vaginalis alone or in combination with anaerobes reported more symptoms than those women who had negative cultures. In addition, women with G. vaginalis alone and those G. vaginalis in combination with other organisms had more discharge, described as yellow and runny, than those with negative cultures. 77% of the women infected with G. vaginalis had a high cheese or fishy odor. 75% of the women with G. vaginalis came to the health center between 2-4 weeks or even longer after they 1st noticed symptoms. On the other hand, women who were infected with C. albicans presented to the health center within a week of the start of the symptoms. Clinicians had previously treated erroneously many of the women with G. vaginalis with an antifungal agent. These women should be treated with metronidazole or, if a yeast infection is also present, with an antifungal agent and metronidazole. All women who present themselves to a nurse or physician with vaginal symptoms should have a history taken, an examination, and vaginal discharge samples taken and evaluated in the laboratory.