Gardnerella Vaginalis 400 times magnification
Gardnerella vaginalis is an infection, caused by bacteria of the Gardnerella vaginalis strain, in the female genital tract. Another name for the infection is bacterial vaginosis. The infection was originally explained in 1955 by Gardner and Dukes. The infection creates a yellow or gray discharge from the vagina, along with a “fishy” odor that gets stronger when washing the vagina with alkaline soaps.
Gardnerella vaginalis is the most common cause of vaginitis and it is assumed that the infection is a sexually transmitted one since it is usually found in women with a history of sexually transmitted diseases.
If you think you may have gardnerella vaginalis, some of the symptoms include a “fishy” or “musty” smell and discharge. There is usually very little irritation and the odor is the main complaint of patients.
As for the treatment of gardnerella vaginalis, the medication of choice will most likely be oral metronidazole, with doses at 500 mg twice a day for five to seven days. Sometimes only a single dose of 2 g is effective however. Some side effects of the medicine include intolerance to alcohol and the medication is shown to be unadvisable for those that are pregnant or in their lactation period.
If you contract the infection, you need to consult your doctor immediately. Ask them about the drugs you will be prescribed as well as how the odor may be eliminated and if your partner should be treated simultaneously. If your partner is treated, that may prevent future infections.
One of the best things you can do to prevent future infection is to be cautious of your sexual contact with men as well as keep your vaginal area clean and most importantly, ask your doctor if you have any questions or if you think that you may be contracting the infection.
So the advice here for Gardnerella Vaginalis is thge same as for bacterial vaginosis as they are one of the same thing. And although the doctor will rush to prescribe you antibiotics and yes this is actually OK and the best thing to take you must as always be mindful of the return of the infection when antibiotic cover is finished.
