Differences between bacterial and fungal vaginitis
Disease description:
I often experience symptoms of vaginal itching and suspected I might have bacterial vaginitis. After a hospital examination, the doctor told me I have fungal vaginitis (yeast infection). What are the differences between bacterial and fungal vaginitis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhao Xiaodong
Bacterial and fungal vaginitis generally refer to bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis, respectively. The two differ in their symptoms. Bacterial vaginosis causes grayish-white, thin vaginal discharge accompanied by a fishy or foul odor. Vulvovaginal candidiasis primarily causes intense itching of the vulva and thick, curd-like or cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge. Their causes are different: bacterial vaginosis results from an imbalance in the normal bacterial flora within the vagina, while vulvovaginal candidiasis is caused by infection with Candida species.
