VAGINAL DISCHARGE - HOW TO PINPOINT THE CAUSE

Vaginal discharge is a common symptom of genital infection in women. I dentifying its source can be challenging, because a large number of pa thogens cause vaginal and cervical infection, and several infections m ay coexist. Patient history and physical examination findings may sugg est a diagnosis. Useful tests for etiologic diagnosis include pH analy sis of vaginal fluid, the ''whiff'' test, wet mount examination, cultu re, and Gram's stain, Once the source of infection has been identified , the patient can be treated, usually with oral antibiotics, oral anti fungals, or topical vaginal preparations