What causes vaginal candidal infection?

Vaginal candidiasis is a gynecological disease that women often encounter. If the amount of bacteria is relatively small, it will not cause any symptoms. Symptoms of vaginitis will only appear when the bacteria multiply in large numbers or the immune system decreases. There are many causes of vaginal candidal infection. For example, decreased resistance, too frequent sexual life, lack of attention to personal hygiene, and disruption of the acid-base balance in the vagina can all lead to the appearance of this bacteria.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common and frequent vulvovaginal inflammatory disease caused by Candida albicans. Candida albicans is a conditionally pathogenic bacterium. 10% to 20% of non-pregnant women and 30% of pregnant women have this fungus parasitic in their vagina, but the amount of bacteria is small and does not cause symptoms. Vaginitis symptoms will only occur when the systemic and local vaginal immunity decreases, especially the local cellular immunity decreases, and Candida albicans multiplies in large numbers.

Candida is a fungus, and the one that usually causes vaginitis is Candida albicans. Candida is not resistant to heat and will die after being heated to 60°C for 1 hour. However, it is more resistant to dryness, sunlight, ultraviolet rays and chemicals.

Clinical manifestations

The typical symptom of candidal vaginitis is vulvar itching, and the itching symptoms vary from mild to severe, and come and go. When the itching is severe, the patient will be restless and unable to sleep or eat. When the inflammation is severe, urination pain and sexual intercourse pain may also occur. Increased vaginal discharge is another major symptom of this disease. The vaginal discharge is usually thick and appears to be dregs or curd-like.

examine

Gynecological examination showed that the leucorrhea was white, thick and resembling tofu dregs; the vaginal mucosa was red and swollen, and in severe cases, shallow ulcers were formed in the vagina. The secretion was placed on a 10% KOH slide and the hyphae were found under a microscope. If there are symptoms but multiple microscopic examinations are negative, culture can be used.

Regarding the treatment of complicated vulvovaginal candidiasis, the selected drugs are basically the same as those for simple vulvovaginal candidiasis. Whether local or systemic medications are used, the treatment time should be appropriately extended.

The treatment principles for vulvovaginal candidiasis during pregnancy are: the primary issue that must be considered during treatment is whether the drug is harmful to the fetus; treatment is mainly based on local medication, and no systemic medication is given; it is limited to pregnant women with symptoms and signs.