What causes Gardnerella bacterial infection?

What causes Gardnerella bacterial infection?

What causes Gardnerella infection. There is no specific cause for this type of infection, however, it is more common in women with risk factors such as those with multiple sexual partners, smokers, those who vaginally douche, or those who use an IUD as a contraceptive method.

How do you get a Gardnerella infection?

Gardnerella can be spread by sexual contact and is most frequently observed as occurring from women to men and from women to women. It has not been definitively established that men can transmit a Gardnerella infection to women. BV develops when the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted.

What does it mean to test positive for Gardnerella?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), females who test positive for Gardnerella vaginitis should be tested for other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV , Gonorrhea , and Chlamydia .

What antibiotic kills Gardnerella bacteria?

Clindamycin. Clindamycin,commonly known by the brand name Cleocin, is another antimicrobial agent for the treatment of BV. This lincosamide antibiotic stops the unwanted bacteria from growing. Various treatment forms are available, including vaginal (ovule and cream) and oral.

What is the root cause of bacterial vaginosis?

BV is often caused by gardnerella vaginalis, the most common type of bacteria in your vagina. Anything that changes the chemistry of your vagina’s pH balance can mess with bacteria levels and lead to infection — like douching or using vaginal deodorants and other irritating products.

Is Gardnerella curable?

Gardnerella is curable and can be treated with a short course of antibiotics. You should abstain from sexual intercourse until your treatment is finished, and ensure that your sexual partners are also treated to avoid re-infecting each other.

Is Gardnerella bacterial or viral?

Gardnerella vaginalis is an anaerobic bacterium that is the causative agent in bacterial vaginosis (BV). This bacteria normally is part of the vaginal flora and any overgrowth can cause BV which is the most common cause of vaginal discharge.

How serious is Gardnerella?

If Gardnerella is left untreated, there is an increased risk of getting other STIs, including HIV. A long term infection in pregnant women can cause premature rupture of membranes, preterm labour and delivery, along with a range of other potentially dangerous complications.

What happens if you don’t treat Gardnerella?

If left untreated, it can raise your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and cause problems during pregnancy.

Is gardnerella bacterial or viral?

How long does BV take to go away?

Bacterial vaginosis usually clears up in 2 or 3 days with antibiotics, but treatment goes on for 7 days. Do not stop using your medicine just because your symptoms are better. Be sure to take the full course of antibiotics. Antibiotics usually work well and have few side effects.

Does Gardnerella cause bacterial vaginosis?

“In the past, Gardnerella was believed to be the primary agent of bacterial vaginosis,” Dr. Sullivan confirms. Doctors used tools like gardnerella DNA probes and vaginal pathogen tests (vag path for gardnerella) to measure the prevalence of Gardnerella and diagnose bacterial vaginosis.

What is zidoval vaginal gel used for?

Zidoval vaginal gel is indicated for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. For vaginal administration. One application of Zidoval vaginal gel (5g) inserted into the vagina once daily, at bedtime, for 5 consecutive days.

Is metronidazole safe to use with zidoval?

Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole and should be used with care in patients with evidence of a history of blood dyscrasias. As with all vaginal infections, sexual intercourse during the infection and during treatment with Zidoval vaginal gel is not recommended.

Is Gardnerella contagious?

Although Gardnerellais not considered to be contagious, the role of transmissibility is yet to be completely understood.[2] The spread of this bacteria among individuals through sexual intercourse may alter the natural balance of bacteria within the vagina, and this imbalance can even lead to the development of BV.[2]