Gardnerella vaginalis is a common vaginal infection caused by bacteria, often transmitted through sexual contact. Symptoms include a fishy-smelling discharge, but it is not usually harmful. Diagnosis involves a wet preparation test, and treatment options include oral metronidazole or cefradine.
Gardnerella vaginalis is a condition of the female reproductive system that is more disruptive to daily life than dangerous. It is an infection of the vagina, most commonly caused by a strain of bacteria known as Gardnerella vaginalis, but can also involve anaerobic bacteria. The most common form of vaginal infections in sexually active adult females, the condition can lead to a yellowish or grayish discharge from the vagina that often smells fishy.
Most women tend to get Gardnerella vaginalis through sexual contact, although this is not always the case. Sometimes, women become infected without sexual transmission. In these cases, however, the infection has none of the typical symptoms, including a fishy or musty smell and colored discharge. Regardless of the source, this type of infection generally doesn’t cause irritation in or around the vagina.
To properly diagnose a case of Gardnerella vaginalis, a doctor performs a wet preparation consisting of a saline solution and the vaginal discharge. Clue cells, which are skin cells with a jagged outline, indicate the presence of the infection. Bacteria cause this granular appearance by attaching themselves to the surface of cells. In many cases, there will be enough bacteria in the sample that they can be found floating unattached. If Gardnerella vaginalis infection is present, there are not many white blood cells or lactobacilli in the sample.
Once Gardnerella vaginalis has been diagnosed, a woman has several treatment options. The first option is usually a prescription for oral metronidazole, which can be taken for up to seven days by adult and adolescent patients. A doctor might also ask to treat the woman’s sexual partners with the same drug to prevent the infection from recurring.
For some women, metronidazole isn’t the best choice. This could be because they are alcohol drinkers and alcohol reduces the effects of the drug. Metronidazole is also not the right choice for patients with certain blood and central nervous system conditions. Women who are in the early stages of pregnancy or are breastfeeding should also avoid taking this drug.
Another choice for treating Gardnerella vaginalis is cefradine, which can be taken by mouth for up to six days. It works to remove the Gardnerella vaginalis from the vagina and put an end to the symptoms of the infection. One downside to this prescription, however, is that it won’t treat an anaerobic infection.
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