Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Arkansas Department of Health

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition that happens when there is too much of certain bacteria in the vagina. This changes the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina.

Signs and Symptoms

Some women have no symptoms
Strong “fishy” vaginal odor, especially after sex
Abnormal vaginal discharge – white or grey, watery or foamy
Pain during urination
Vaginal itching

Transmission

It is unclear what causes the imbalance in vaginal bacteria that leads to BV. However, some behaviors can increase a woman’s risk of BV:

Having a new sex partner
Having multiple sex partners
Douching

Complications

In pregnant women, having BV can increase risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
Having BV makes it easier to transmit or acquire HIV during sex.

Prevention

Avoiding vaginal sex may reduce a woman’s risk of getting BV.
Limit the number of sex partners.
To maintain “healthy” vaginal bacteria, do not douche.

Testing and Treatment

Get a test from a medical provider if infection is suspected.
BV can be cured using medication prescribed by a medical provider.
Male sex partners do not need to be treated at the same time.

NOTE: BV can recur after treatment.

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is an STD caused by two types of viruses. The viruses are called herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex type 2

Signs and Symptoms

Most people may never develop symptoms or the symptoms are too mild to notice.
Develop within 2-30 days, or longer, or not at all.
Small, painful fluid-filled blisters on genitals, mouth or anus.
Blisters progress to open sores that crust over and heal within 1-2 weeks.
Blisters may be “hidden” in the vagina.
First episode most severe, subsequent episodes milder.
Itching or burning on skin in area where blisters are about to appear.
Initial infection often accompanied by fever, headache and swollen lymph nodes.
Blisters go away, but infection is still in the body.
Blisters can return periodically, but usually with shorter duration and less severity.

Transmission

Genital herpes is spread by:

Vaginal sex
Oral sex
Anal sex
Contact with infected person’s lesions
Infected mother to newborn

Herpes can also be spread from one area of the body to another via contact with or touching an infected area.

Viral shedding may occur in the absence of blisters, so transmission is possible when lesions are absent. Most transmission occurs in absence of sores.

Complications

Genital herpes can:

Spread to sex partners
Make infection by other germs, like HIV, easier, as the blisters provide easy entry to other STD germs
Cause recurrent painful outbreaks

Genital herpes and pregnancy

Most pregnant women with recurrent genital herpes deliver normal infants.
Newborn may acquire infection from mother during delivery.
Infection in newborn may cause death, or severe damage to the brain, lungs and liver.
Risk is highest for infants born to mothers who have first episode of genital herpes during pregnancy.

Prevention

Avoiding vaginal, oral or anal sex is the best way to prevent STDs.

Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of genital herpes only when the infected areas are covered or protected by the condom.
Always use latex condoms during vaginal and anal sex.
Use a latex condom for oral sex on a penis.
Use a latex barrier (dental dam or condom cut in half) for oral sex on a vagina or anus.
Limit the number of sex partners.
Notify sex partners immediately if infected.
When pregnant, inform doctor if previously infected with herpes.
Never have sex with someone who has genital herpes when sores are present.

Testing and Treatment

Get a test from a medical provider if infection is suspected.
No cure is available; infection persists for life.
Recurrent episodes of blisters can be decreased by taking an antiviral medication each day.
Treatment of recurrent episodes generally shortens the length of outbreaks.
Comfort measures are available for recurrent episodes.

Office	Address	Phone	Fax
STD Prevention	4815 W. Markham St., Slot 33 Little Rock, AR 72205	501-661-2408	501-661-2082

Arkansas Department of Health