question about where i got BV

Hi,

In mid-September I ended up with a bacterial vaginitis.  I got treatment for it.  About the same time, my hubby started getting an irritation on the tip of his penis, urethra - swollen and red.  He has also gotten small bumps, skin color with nothing inside - on his shaft.  

Q. How could've I gotten BV?  Could hubby have gotten it from an infected woman and passed the bacteria to me?
Q. If I did get it that way what is the incubation period - what time frame?
Q. If chlamydia or tric is involved, again what is the time frame?

I am asking because after convincing him to come get samples taken, we are now waiting for results and I am going nuts in the mean time :(

Thank you

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It's usually impossible to be confident about the source of bacterial vaginosis.  The reasons BV develops are not well understood, but it most cases it is not a traditional STD, i.e. it doesn't usually result from catching something from a partner.   So this may have nothing to do with your husband.

That said, some cases of BV may be the body's reaction to some other infection.  In other words, getting another STD in some cases may trigger it, and your husband's symptoms indeed are suspicious for an STD, especially herpes.  Herpes often is carried for months or years without causing symptoms--so when symptoms appear it often has no implications about either of you having other partners.  Of course I can't judge the likelihood that your husband might have had other partners; you know him and I don't.

If herpes, chlamydia, or other STD triggered your BV, you could have been infected any time from a week to perhaps a couple of months before your symptoms began.

Bottom line:  In most cases of new BV, only the woman needs to be examined and tested for STDs, and the partner should be checked only if something other than BV is found.  But in this case, I agree you both should be examined and tested, including tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes.  Trichomonas is less likely, since you undoubtedly already were tested; the exam for BV also usually picks up trich.

Second bottom line:  The odds are good that this will end up with an "innocent" explanation.  Deal with it after Thanksgiving and don't let it ruin your holiday!

Best wishes--   HHH, MD