Infectious pathologies do not always occur with pronounced symptoms. There is a whole group of diseases that do not make themselves felt for a long time. They are called "hidden infections." Most often these are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Despite their asymptomatic nature, they are quite dangerous. Therefore, one should be aware of their existence. To do this, let's look at a list of hidden infections in women. In addition, it is important to understand what research can help identify these diseases.
Pathology Characterization
Diseases included in the list of hidden infections in women are ailments that become infected during sexual intercourse. Sometimes such pathologies can be transmitted by domestic means or from mother to infant (vertical).
Diseases are called latent, because such pathologies are difficult to diagnose. They have a small list of manifestations. Most often, they are generally asymptomatic. Pronounced manifestations characterize, as a rule, the stage of complication.
These infections are almost impossible to diagnose with routine examinations, such as bacterial culture or smear. To identify them, special medical research is needed. Below we will consider what and why you need to pass for hidden infections.
The course of the disease can be aggravated by various factors:
- adverse environmental conditions;
- malnutrition;
- reduced immunity;
- stress.
List of latent infections in women
The list of STDs contains 31 pathogens:
- viruses
- mushrooms
- bacteria
- ectoparasites.
The most famous pathologies are herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea. Less well-known diseases include: ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, human papilloma virus, gardnerellosis, chlamydia.
So, the main list of hidden infections:
- gardnerella;
- ureaplasmas;
- herpes viruses;
- chlamydia
- cytomegalovirus (CMV);
- candida fungi;
- human, urogenital mycoplasmas.
Common symptoms
Most pathologies do not manifest themselves at all in the early stages. Therefore, patients resort to medical care only during the progression or exacerbation of the disease.
It is very important to suspect the development of the disease in a timely manner. To do this, you need to know what are the hidden infections in women and their symptoms.
The primary signs of the development of pathology are:
- In the genital area there is a feeling of itching, burning.
- During or after an intimate relationship there is a feeling of discomfort, sometimes even pain.
- Discharges are observed that have an uncharacteristic color, a specific texture and an unpleasant odor.
- A rash may appear on the genitals.
- The process of urination is accompanied by discomfort, pain. Frequent urge to go to the toilet.
If you have at least one of these symptoms, you must definitely consult a doctor and undergo the prescribed examination.
The delayed, more complex manifestations include the following symptoms:
- The menstrual cycle is broken.
- A woman cannot bear a child.
- Infertility.
- In the small pelvis, uncomfortable and painful sensations appear.
It should be understood that each latent infection has a specific set of symptoms, flow characteristics. In addition, they can lead to a variety of serious complications, covering not only the genitourinary system, but also many other organs.
Herpes virus
This is a rather unpleasant pathology, which cannot be completely cured. It is provoked by various types of viruses found in the body of all people, even completely healthy. In the case of certain factors, for example, a sharp decrease in immunity, the pathology begins to develop rapidly.
Symptoms of latent infections in women and men are quite similar.
Herpes is indicated by such signs:
- pain, itching in the genital area;
- rashes on the skin and mucous membranes (we are talking about a bubble rash);
- the presence of mucous discharge;
- body temperature may rise;
- after bursting of vesicles, scabs are formed that provoke severe pain.
The disease can lead to quite unpleasant complications:
- meningitis;
- conjunctivitis;
- keratitis;
- encephalitis;
- damage to the central nervous system.
Human papillomavirus
This infection leads to the appearance on the skin and mucous membranes of various formations: warts, warts. Pathology is characterized by a prolonged course without pronounced symptoms. Exacerbation of the disease occurs against a background of decreased immunity.
Most often, HPV is detected during examinations during pregnancy or during studies to detect cancer.
A woman may suspect the development of an ailment by the following signs:
- genital warts, warts appear on the lips, in the mouth, on the genitals;
- diagnosed with cervical erosion.
If timely treatment is not taken, HPV can lead to various types of malignant tumors.
Candidiasis (thrush)
Continuing to consider the list of latent infections in women, we should dwell on this ailment. This is a fairly common pathology.
The disease is provoked by yeast-like fungi belonging to the genus Candida. They, in small quantities, are always in the vagina. When this fungus multiplies, a woman develops vaginal candidiasis.
The following symptoms are characteristic of it:
- white discharge, curdled consistency;
- urination and sexual intercourse cause pain;
- itching, burning appears in the genital area.
Doctors believe that the disease does not lead to serious consequences. However, it still requires the right treatment.
Mycoplasmosis
This disease does not manifest itself with pronounced symptoms. Pathology is caused by microorganisms mycoplasma hominis and genitalium. Such species parasitize in the genitourinary system.
Sometimes mycoplasmosis makes itself felt with clear discharge or painful discomfort during intimate contact or urination. Pathology is quite dangerous for its complications.
It can lead to:
- diseases of the appendages, vagina, uterus, urethra;
- violation of the development of the placenta, miscarriage, polyhydramnios;
- infertility.
Diagnosis of diseases
Of course, you should understand that the above pathologies are not limited to (if we consider hidden infections) the list.
Analyzes in women and men can diagnose a wide variety of types of diseases. And they, as you have seen, are many.
So, for the diagnosis of latent infections, the following tests are prescribed:
- General smear. A study of scrapings taken from the genitals, at the cellular level.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This study involves the identification of an immunological reaction to some pathogens that are in the patient’s biological material. The analysis is characterized by a high level of sensitivity. But in the course of the study, it is not the pathogen itself that is detected, but the reaction to it.
- Bacteriological culture (LHC). It shows the microflora and allows you to determine the sensitivity of this type of infection to antibacterial drugs. In a favorable environment, the infection is rapidly developing. A few days later, a systemic culture forms. It is in this form that you can determine its sensitivity to drugs.
- Polymer chain reaction (PRC). This analysis determines the DNA and RNA of the pathogen itself. For this, various biological materials are investigated. The analysis gives a description of the pathogen that provoked the development of a latent infection, determines the duration of the disease and gives a quantitative assessment of the disease.
- Immunofluorescence Reaction (RIF). In the course of this study, biological material is susceptible to various coloring agents. This allows a more detailed study of the infection at the cellular level.
Analysis cost
The beautiful half are worried about a lot of questions when it comes to latent infections in women: list, cost of tests, how to prepare for them and where to take them.
Before considering the answers to exciting topics, it is important to remember the following. Every woman, to eliminate the risk of developing latent infections, must take a bacterial smear annually. You can conduct a study in any clinic specializing in this area.
Now, let's look at how much tests for latent infections in women cost.
The list of studies that are most often offered in clinics:
- Urogenital smear - an average of 300 rubles.
- Cytological examination - about 700 rubles.
- Diagnosis for the presence of Papillomavirusa - will cost 700 rubles.
- Histological examination - costs 1,590 rubles.
Preparing for the test
In order for the diagnosis to be carried out as accurately as possible, a woman is recommended to prepare for it correctly.
To do this, observe a number of important rules:
- Bacterial material should be taken on the 5th or 6th day from the beginning of the menstrual cycle.
- 2 weeks before the study, you should stop taking the following medicines: antibiotics, antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- It is recommended to refrain from sexual intercourse several days before taking the tests.
- 24 hours before the diagnosis, local contraceptives, intimate hygiene products, antiseptics should not be used. In addition, douching is not recommended during this period.
Studies on latent infections are prescribed to all couples who plan to give birth to a baby. Such a diagnosis is especially important for those men and women who have not been able to get an heir for a long time. After all, neglected infections very often lead to infertility. Therefore, do not forget about the need for annual tests.