Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the commonest cause of vaginal infection (vaginitis). The commonest symptom of BV is an abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant fishy smell, however, half of all women with BV don't notice any symptoms.

Untreated bacterial vaginosis can cause pelvic inflammatory disease which can cause fatal complications of pregnancy, premature delivery and low birth weight of infants.

Bacterial vaginosis can be cured by antibiotics.

See also Vulvovaginal disorders, Sexually transmitted diseases, Pelvic inflammatory disease

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• Vaginitis/Vaginal infection fact sheet from the National Institute of Allergies and Infections http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/stdvag.htm