"I am having Toilet infection, please help"
Hello Beautiful people,
I got a mail yesterday from someone asking me a health question. Let me share extracts of the mail with you then answer publicly as it may help one or two people out there.
"Hi Dr. Anire,
Please kindly advice. I've been having toilet infection with severe itching on and off for about 3 months now. I went to a chemist nearby who gave me some antibiotics but it seems to have gotten worse. What do I do?"
Okay, thanks for the mail (you know yourself).
For starters, there is nothing like toilet infection. It is a misnomer. It has not been proven scientifically that the toilet transmits vaginal infections. which I think is what you are trying to describe.
Yes, the toilet can habour bacteria like all other places - sinks, surfaces etc. But it has not been implicated as a mode of transmission of vaginal infections. Vaginal infections are either sexually transmitted or opportunistic (I'll explain). What I think you have is an opportunistic infection, most likely vaginal candidiasis/yeast infection/vaginal thrush.
The organism that causes this infection is a fungus that may be found in the gut, vagina, under the nails and on the skin normally without causing any problems or symptoms. Most women have candida and other bacteria like lactobaccili living in their vagina normally without causing any problems. They are called normal commensals. However, when the organism multiplies more than normal, taking opportunity of something wrong with your system, it may cause symptoms and become an opportunistic infection.
Some of the factors that can predispose a woman coming down with symptomatic candidiasis especially if recurrent include:
-Reduced Immunity.
-HIV.
-Diabetes.
-Vaginal douching, tight clothing, shower gel, bubble bath.
-Pregnancy.
-Antibiotic therapy.
-High dose combined oral contraceptive pill.
For the case of the person who sent me the letter, she has been taking antibiotics and it made it worse. This is because antibiotics can kill the other bacteria that stay normally in the vagina. Thus leaving room for the fungi to multiply unchecked.
Candidiasis usually presents with itching and soreness of the vagina with a curdy, thick white discharge.
What can you do?
Try getting clotrimazole cream and pessary. Put the pessary( 3 tablets) deep down your vagina. As far as your hand can go last thing at night. Then start using the cream the next morning. With a clean finger, insert the cream deep down your vagina, morning amd evening for 1 week. Buy new pants to avoid re-infection or you can iron your old pants with high heat.
If symptoms still persist, then go to a hospital and see a gynaecologist for further evaluation and treatment.
I hope this helps?
Do stay well and Healthy-pink.
Dr. Anire Oduko.
I got a mail yesterday from someone asking me a health question. Let me share extracts of the mail with you then answer publicly as it may help one or two people out there.
"Hi Dr. Anire,
Please kindly advice. I've been having toilet infection with severe itching on and off for about 3 months now. I went to a chemist nearby who gave me some antibiotics but it seems to have gotten worse. What do I do?"
Okay, thanks for the mail (you know yourself).
For starters, there is nothing like toilet infection. It is a misnomer. It has not been proven scientifically that the toilet transmits vaginal infections. which I think is what you are trying to describe.
Yes, the toilet can habour bacteria like all other places - sinks, surfaces etc. But it has not been implicated as a mode of transmission of vaginal infections. Vaginal infections are either sexually transmitted or opportunistic (I'll explain). What I think you have is an opportunistic infection, most likely vaginal candidiasis/yeast infection/vaginal thrush.
The organism that causes this infection is a fungus that may be found in the gut, vagina, under the nails and on the skin normally without causing any problems or symptoms. Most women have candida and other bacteria like lactobaccili living in their vagina normally without causing any problems. They are called normal commensals. However, when the organism multiplies more than normal, taking opportunity of something wrong with your system, it may cause symptoms and become an opportunistic infection.
Some of the factors that can predispose a woman coming down with symptomatic candidiasis especially if recurrent include:
-Reduced Immunity.
-HIV.
-Diabetes.
-Vaginal douching, tight clothing, shower gel, bubble bath.
-Pregnancy.
-Antibiotic therapy.
-High dose combined oral contraceptive pill.
For the case of the person who sent me the letter, she has been taking antibiotics and it made it worse. This is because antibiotics can kill the other bacteria that stay normally in the vagina. Thus leaving room for the fungi to multiply unchecked.
Candidiasis usually presents with itching and soreness of the vagina with a curdy, thick white discharge.
What can you do?
Try getting clotrimazole cream and pessary. Put the pessary( 3 tablets) deep down your vagina. As far as your hand can go last thing at night. Then start using the cream the next morning. With a clean finger, insert the cream deep down your vagina, morning amd evening for 1 week. Buy new pants to avoid re-infection or you can iron your old pants with high heat.
If symptoms still persist, then go to a hospital and see a gynaecologist for further evaluation and treatment.
I hope this helps?
Do stay well and Healthy-pink.
Dr. Anire Oduko.
How feasible is the use of pessaries in virgins? Any alternatives?
ReplyDeleteHello, it is very feasible to use vaginal tablets in virgins when needed to treat an infection. Even if the hymen is intact, there are holes through which blood and secretions pass through. it is not completely closed. Virgins use tampons which you have to insert inside the vagina. So yes you can, just be gentle. However, if you're still unsure you can consult a gynaecologist on this.
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