Garnerella

[jfem4]

Hx of recent yeast infections ( 3 or so in about 6 months) Follow up appointment...had culures done just to check if there was yeast...did not have any symptoms of anything MD almost didn't do cultures...just wanted to see, but did them anyway,.cutured positive for Garderella.

Is it possible to have a culutre positive for Garnerella and not have symptoms?

If there are no symptoms, should you still treat?? If not, why not?? Won't it eventually become full blown with symptoms etc???

Is it possible for this culture positive one time and possibly not the next time?

I'm a little worried about it...

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Correct.  Take care.  EWH

[jfem4]

ok...so the bottom line is leave it unless it causes symptoms...which is most likely won't as it's a normal finding in the vagina.

Thanks for being so patient with me and all of my questions...

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I think repeat tests are a waste of time.  The concentrations vary and detection is subject to sampling error.  If you found it, what would you do with it--nothing I hope.  Thus, I would not test further.  EWH

[jfem4]

Absolutely helps!!!

However, why if it's normal to have, did it never appear before? Is it because the concentrations were lower?


So should I get  a repeat culture at some point or just leave it alone??

I've started on Lactobacillous tablets, and other things to increase my immune system( exercising , diet etc...)

Thanks again...I've truly read up on this, and understand it's not serious, and pretty normal, but there were conflicting data related to whether or not to treat in the absence of symptoms.
And I could not find anything that would tell me if treating it would prevent symptoms...

J

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Gardnerella vaginalis is one if the many bacteria which occur naturally in the female genital tract.  Thus, having a positive culture is normal and symptoms are irrelevant.  There is no need to treat a positive culture for gardnerella.   In patients with bacterial vaginosis, the concentrations of gardnerella may be increased but without symptoms there is no need to treat.

Hope this helps.  EWH