Bacterial Vaginosis

1. The most common vaginal infection in childbearing women. 
2. Associated with burning, itching, and malodorous discharge.
3. Cause is not fully understood but associated with
   
   1. douching
   2. multiple sexual partners.
4. Complications caused by BV
   
   1. Increased susceptibility to HIV, HSV, chlamydia and gonnorrhea
   2. Increased risk for preterm labor.
   3. Increases the chance of an HIV woman passing HIV to her sex partner.
5. Woman at high risk for preterm delivery should be tested for and treated for BV, however, the US Preventive Services Task Force just released a statement discouraging testing in woman at low risk for preterm delivery. 
6. Treatment options include metronidazole and clindamycin.

References

Screening for bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy to prevent preterm delivery: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2008 Feb 5;148(3):I30.

CDC Fact Sheet-Bacterial Vaginosis