Infection of Female Genital Tract PDF

Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University / Alkufa Technical Institute Department of Technical Nursing Infection of female genital tract BY Lecturer. Zahra Mousa Hamza Second Academic Year ...

Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University / Alkufa Technical Institute Department of Technical Nursing Infection of female genital tract BY Lecturer. Zahra Mousa Hamza Second Academic Year  Infection of female genital tract 1.Pruritus vulvae Pruritus vulvae, or itching of the external female genitalia, is a common presenting complaint for women of all ages. Despite this, it can be difficult to diagnose and manage vulval conditions. Causes: 1. Allergies or sensitivities towards certain products like - coloured or perfumed toilet papers, vaginal sprays or douches, shampoos, creams or medications. 2.Reactions to - bubble bath or soaps used on genital area, spermicides, sanitary napkins. 3. Irritations caused by - a yeast infection, chlorinated water in swimming pools or hot tubs, synthetic underwear of nylon pantyhose without a breathable cotton crotch, wearing a wet bathing suit for a long time, bike or horseback riding, douching, poor personal hygiene. 4.Infections such as - vaginitis, genital herpes, viral and fungal infection. 5.Factors such as - Diabetes, scabies or pubic lice, eczema or dermatitis. Symptoms and signs: 1.Extreme and constant itching 2.A burning sensation in the vulvar area 3.Vaginal discharge 4.Redness and swelling on the vulva and labia (lips of the vagina) 5.clear fluid-filled Blisters on the vulva 6.Soreness 7.Pain with sex 8.Increased sensitivity when wiping with toilet paper.  Diagnosis : Vulvitits can have many different causes which makes the diagnosis difficult. The diagnosis of vulvitis starts with examining the medical history and pelvic examination of the person affected by it. Other diagnostic tools like pap smears, urine tests, blood tests and tests for sexually transmitted diseases are also done A woman should contact a medical professional if the itching is persistent, especially if it occurs with any of the following: 1.foul-smelling vaginal discharge 2.thick yellow, green, or white discharge 3.burning and swelling of the vulva 4.pain during urination 5.pain during sex There are several things that should avoid to prevent or alleviate vaginal or vulvar itching, including: 1.avoid douching 2.avoid wearing tight clothing, such as jeans 3.avoid using scented products, such as bubble baths, tampons, or vaginal sprays 4.avoid washing clothing with scented detergent. 3.Cervicitis : Cervicitis is the inflammation of the cervix. It is usually caused by an infectious agent, usually sexually transmitted. Cervicitis is frequently asymptomatic and silent infection can cause complications of the upper genital tract. Signs and symptoms From the clinical point of view, cervicitis tends to classified as acute or chronic. Inflammation of the cervix is frequently asymptomatic, and in symptomatic women the symptoms are often nonspecific, with the most significant being : 1.the presence of increased vaginal discharge 2. intermenstrual bleeding, usually related to sexual intercourse. 3.mucopurulent cervicitis 4. friability is common *Chronic cervicitis, generally asymptomatic 1.infection can extend to the upper genital tract 2.endometritis 3.PID ( pelvic inflammatory disease) 4.It can also lead to adverse effects in pregnant women and in newborns The complications of PID include : chronic abdominal pelvic pain, infertility increased risk of ectopic pregnancy chronic inflammation of the cervix could contribute to the development of cervical cancer Management Considerations: To minimize transmission and re infection, women treated for cervicitis should be instructed to abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their partners have been treated (i.e., until completion of a 7-day regimen or for 7 days after single-dose therapy) and symptoms have resolved. Women who receive a cervicitis diagnosis should be tested for syphilis and HIV in addition to other recommended diagnostic tests. Follow-Up: Women receiving treatment should return to their provider for a follow-up visit to determine whether cervicitis has resolved. For women who are untreated, a follow-up visit gives providers an opportunity to communicate test results obtained as part of the cervicitis evaluation. Providers should treat on the basis of any positive test results and determine whether cervicitis has resolved. Women with a specific diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis should be offered partner services and instructed to return in 3 months after treatment for repeat testing because of high rates of reinfection HIV (human immunodeficiency virus): is a virus that targets the immune system. It damages and destroys white blood cells called CD4 T cells. Without treatment, HIV can progress to an advanced stage called stage 3 HIV, or AIDS. HIV is a serious medical condition that damages the immune system. If left untreated, the virus can progress through three stages that may seriously impair a person’s quality and duration of life. * Stage 1, acute infection: This is when people have large amounts of HIV in the blood and the body begins producing antibodies to try and kill the virus. People typically develop flu-like symptoms 2–4 weeks Trusted Source after contracting HIV, which may last a few weeks. This stage is when HIV is the most transmissible to other people. *Stage 2, chronic infection: HIV is still active and reproducing in the body but at a slower rate. Some people may not have symptoms, but the virus is still transmissible. This stage may last 10 years or more without treatment. If treatment begins, the virus may never progress to stage 3. *Stage 3 HIV: This is the most advanced stage of HIV, also known as AIDS. It happens when the body can no longer fight off the infection. The survival rate is around 3 years Trusted Source without treatment. The chances of HIV progressing to stage 3 vary for each person and depend on many factors, such as:  the person’s age  the body’s ability to defend against HIV  accessibility of quality healthcare  the presence of other infections  a person’s genetic resistance to certain strains of HIV  the strain of HIV, as some are drug-resistant Causes HIV is transmitted when bodily fluids containing the virus are shared between people, including: blood semen pre-seminal fluid vaginal fluids rectal fluids breast milk The virus cannot be transmitted through saliva.  HIV can be transmitted through:  anal or vaginal intercourse  sharing needles, such as for tattooing or injecting drugs  pregnancy  breastfeeding Symptoms :Symptoms of HIV depend on the stage of the virus. Early symptoms of HIV During stage 1, some people may have no symptoms for months or even years after contracting the virus. This may be why 13%Trusted Source of people with HIV do not know they have it. That said, two-thirds of people with HIV develop flu-like symptoms 2–4 weeks after contracting the virus, such as:  fever  nausea  diarrhea  headaches  chills  sweating, particularly at night  enlarged glands or swollen lymph nodes  diffuse rash  fatigue  weakness  pain, including joint pain  muscle aches  sore throat These symptoms are collectively called “acute retroviral syndrome.” They result from the immune system fighting off the infection. If people experience these symptoms and think they may have come into contact with HIV, they should get tested.  Treatment There is currently no cure for HIV. However, treatments may help:  stop HIV from progressing  reduce the risk of transmissions  extend a person’s life expectancy  improve a person’s quality of life Many people who take HIV treatments live long, healthy lives. Treatments are lifelong, but medications are becoming increasingly effective and may require a person only taking one pill per day. 2.Vaginitis is a term that refers to a number of conditions, including infection, inflammation, and a change in flora (naturally occurring microorganisms) balance of the vagina. Causes: 1.Infection Vaginitis is often caused by an infection or the disruption of the healthy vaginal flora. Infectious vaginitis accounts for 90% of all cases in reproductive age women Candidias Bacterial vaginosis Aerobic vaginitis 2.Hormonal Hormonal vaginitis includes atrophic vaginitis usually found in postmenopausal women 3.Irritation/allergy Irritant vaginitis can be caused by allergies or reactions to vaginal sprays, douches, spermicides, soaps, detergents, or fabric softeners  Symptoms and signs: The following signs or symptoms may indicate the presence of infection: 1.Irritation or itching of the genital area 2.inflammation (irritation, redness, and swelling caused by the presence of extra immune cells) of the labia majora, labia minora, or perineal area 3.vaginal discharge 4.foul vaginal odor 5.pain/irritation with sexual intercourse Diagnosis: Diagnosis is typically suspected based on a women's symptoms. Diagnosis is made with microscopy (mostly by vaginal wet mount) and culture of the discharge after a careful history and physical examination have been completed. Prevention: 1.using loose cotton underwear. 2.The vaginal area should be washed with water. 3.Perfumed soaps, shower gels, and vaginal deodorants 4. Douching is not recommended. 5.healthy diets and behaviors as well as minimizing stress as all these factors can affect the pH balance of the vagina. 7.avoiding other people's wet towels and hot tubs, and safe-sex procedures, such as condom use. 8.reduce the likelihood of developing bacterial vaginitis following antibiotic treatment.