Staphylococcus Aureus In A Smear In Women - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Staphylococcus aureus in a smear in women

Content:

• Symptoms of staphylococcus in a smear in women
• Causes of staphylococcus in a smear in women
• Treatment of staphylococcus in a smear in women
• Prevention of staphylococcus in women

Staphylococcus aureus in a smear in women is a detection of opportunistic bacteria in the vaginal microflora. To identify it, it is necessary to collect mucous secretions during a gynecological examination.

The smear is sent for bacteriological examination, which determines the presence or absence of opportunistic microflora.

The fact that this bacterium is found in a woman's smear is not any pathology, but only if its content does not exceed 1% of the total number of microorganisms present there.

The norm and deviations from the norm are determined by the degree of purity of the smear.

Symptoms of staphylococcus in a smear in women

If the number of staphylococci detected in the female smear is minimal, then she will not experience any signs of the disease.

However, in the presence of predisposing factors, staphylococci can begin to grow actively, which will lead to the following symptoms:

• Itching in the genital area.
• Discharge of a different nature, most often with an unpleasant odor.
• Painful sensations during intercourse.
• The impossibility of a full night's rest, as the feeling of itching and burning intensifies at night.
• Increased irritability, nervousness.
• Rashes are possible in the area of the labia minora, like pustules.

However, all these symptoms occur only if the number of staphylococci in the smear is significantly higher than the norm. In addition, overestimation of rates is often a signal that a woman has a sexually transmitted infection. Therefore, it makes sense to undergo a complete examination and eliminate the cause of the growth of staphylococcus in the vagina. As a rule, against the background of the growth of coccal flora, there is an increase in the number of leukocytes in the smear, with a minimum content of lactobacilli.

Causes of staphylococcus in a smear in women

Staphylococcus aureus can enter the vagina in several ways, including:

• Performing intimate hygiene. The bacterium normally exists on the skin of even an absolutely healthy person; when washed, it, together with water, is able to penetrate the mucous membranes of the vagina. If conditions are favorable for it, the bacteria will begin to multiply. In addition, staphylococcus aureus can be brought in from the intestines as a result of improper washing or self-care after an act of defecation.
• Penetration into the vagina due to unskilled actions of medical workers. As a result of, for example, a gynecological examination using non-sterile instruments, infection can occur. Surgery is another way of getting bacteria. Although this route of infection is quite rare and amounts to no more than 1%.
• Unprotected intercourse.

For a long time, staphylococcus may not show its presence at all. However, under the influence of a number of provoking factors, the bacterium begins to multiply actively.

The impetus for the development of the inflammatory process can be:

• Diseases of the genital area;
• Long-term drug therapy;
• Relapses of chronic diseases;
• Weakening of the immune defense, HIV;
• Injury to the vaginal mucosa;
• Disruptions in the hormonal system;
• Dysbacteriosis of the vagina, etc.

A common reason for the appearance of staphylococcus in a smear is the regular use of tampons. It is the synthetic materials from which these hygiene products are made that are a favorable place for bacteria to multiply. As a result, an increase in the number of staphylococci and their suppression of the beneficial microflora of the vagina.

Treatment of staphylococcus in a smear in women

In most cases, it is not necessary to eliminate the bacterium, since in minimal quantities it is not able to cause an infectious process. However, if its indicators exceed the norm, it is necessary to undergo a therapeutic course, which, first of all, should be aimed at eliminating the factor that led to a shift in the vaginal flora.

It should be understood that the analysis of a smear for flora and the detection of an excess of staphylococcal infection in it is only the initial stage in the diagnosis of the disease. To clarify the diagnosis, additional studies will be required, for example, diagnostics by PCR, which makes it possible to identify even latent infections of the genital tract.

The treatment regimen is selected individually and depends on the nature of the disease. Most often, a woman is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and local treatment. It boils down to regular vaginal sanitation using antiseptic solutions. For this, miramistin, chlorophyllipt, streptomycin are used.

The choice of vaginal suppositories is carried out by the doctor. It depends on the nature of the disease. Often prescribed, candles such as Terzhinan, Pimafucin, Genferon or Vokadin. They have a broad spectrum of action, capable of suppressing both microbial and fungal flora.

Prevention of staphylococcus in women

In order to prevent staphylococcal infection from entering the vaginal cavity, it is necessary to follow simple rules, including:

• Practice protected intercourse using a condom.
• Timely get rid of gynecological inflammatory processes.
• Competently carry out intimate hygiene, in particular, when washing, the movements should be directed from front to back. The same rule applies to performing hygiene procedures after the act of defecation. Hands should always be clean.
• It is necessary to abandon not only the regular use of tampons, but also from wearing synthetic underwear.
• To undergo diagnostic procedures in the field of the reproductive system, you should apply only to proven clinics that comply with sanitary and hygienic requirements.
• Douching should not be carried out without medical advice.
• It is important to stop taking antibacterial drugs without a prescription.

Compliance with these rules will allow beneficial bacteria present in the vagina to prevent the growth of staphylococcus, and it will be detected in the smear in the minimum acceptable titers.

The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist

Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.