Gardnerellosis is a fairly common disease that affects both women and men. Therefore, many are interested in questions about how gardnerella gets into the human body, what it is and what problems it can lead to. Is there an effective treatment for infection?
Gardnerella: what is it?
Gardnerella vaginalis is an anaerobic bacterium that lives in the human urogenital system . Until recently, it was believed that most often the cause of nonspecific vaginitis is the activity of gardnerella in women. The reasons, of course, can be associated with the growth and reproduction of these microorganisms. But at present, such a bacterium is considered conditionally pathogenic.
Infection does not always lead to the appearance of inflammatory processes - for many months microorganisms can live in the genitourinary system without causing any external signs. By the way, hidden carriage is more common for men.
Recent studies have shown that the activity of gardnerella in women leads to a change in acidity and a violation of the normal microflora of the vagina. Against the background of such disorders, intensive growth and reproduction of other pathogenic microorganisms is observed . Therefore, most often gardnerellosis is associated with other infectious diseases - the cause of the inflammatory process can be several varieties of pathogenic bacteria at once.
Gardnerella: what is it and how does it enter the body?
Most often, a person becomes infected during unprotected intercourse. Moreover, the danger is not only vaginal, but also oral and anal contacts. A household transmission method is also possible, but only in cases where there is a joint use of strictly personal things, for example, underwear, intimate hygiene products, etc. It is possible to transmit the infection from mother to fetus during pregnancy or childbirth.
Gardnerella: what is it and what diseases does its activity lead to?
As already mentioned, an infection can exist in the body without manifesting itself. The appearance of the inflammatory process, as a rule, is associated with a weakening of the immune system, hormonal disruptions, hypothermia, stress, and any other factors that weaken the immune system.
In women, the activity of gardnerella often leads to the development of nonspecific vaginosis. Patients complain of the appearance of uncharacteristic vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, itching of the external genital organs, pain during intercourse or even at rest.
In men, such an infection can lead to inflammation of the walls of the urethra. As you know, urethritis is accompanied by severe pain and pain during urination, increased urge to empty the bladder, as well as redness and swelling of the glans penis.
How to treat gardnerella?
Of course, patients with a similar problem need medical attention. Indeed, if untreated, the infection can spread higher along the genitourinary tract, leading to inflammation of other organs.
Therapy primarily includes the use of antibacterial drugs. Since the gardnerella is resistant to most antibiotics, metronidazole is prescribed to patients. In addition, it is appropriate to use some external agents, in particular, vaginal suppositories or gels, for example, Metrogil or Flagin. Of course, it is necessary to take preparations containing live cultures of beneficial bacteria, since it is extremely important to restore normal vaginal microflora. Sometimes immunotherapy is additionally performed.