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Comparison of characteristics of vaginal discharge (candida (thrush) versus bacterial vaginosis (BV) versus trichomoniasis)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

 

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:

  • 1) FSRH and BASHH Guidance (February 2012) Management of Vaginal Discharge in Non-Genitourinary Medicine Settings.

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