Comparison of characteristics of vaginal discharge (candida (thrush) versus bacterial vaginosis (BV) versus trichomoniasis)
Sign/Symptom | Bacterial Vaginosis | Candida | Trichomoniasis |
Discharge | Thin | Thin White | Scanty to profuse |
Odour | Offensive/fishy | Non-offensive | Offensive |
Itch | none | vulval itch | vulval itch |
Other possible symptoms | Soreness; Dysuria;Superficial dyspareunia | Dysuria; lower abdominal pain | |
Visible signs | Discharge coating the vagina and vestibule; No vulval inflammation | Normal findings OR Vulval erythema; Oedema; fissuring; satellite lesions | Frothy yellow discharge; vulvitis; vaginitis; cervicitis; 'Strawberry cervix' (ectocervix sometimes resembles the surface of a strawberry) |
Point-of-care test: vaginal pH | > 4.5 pH | <= 4.5 | >4.5 |
Reference:
- FSRH and BASHH Guidance (February 2012) Management of Vaginal Discharge in Non-Genitourinary Medicine Settings.
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