What does a negative BV test mean?
Disease description:
I've been feeling uncomfortable down there recently, with some itching of the vulva and yellowish vaginal discharge. I went to the hospital and had a BV test, which came back negative. Could you please tell me what might be going on?
A negative BV test indicates that a woman does not have bacterial vaginosis. BV is the abbreviation for bacterial vaginosis, a condition that may occur when the normal vaginal flora becomes disrupted, leading to symptoms such as a fishy odor and thin vaginal discharge. The BV test diagnoses bacterial vaginosis through laboratory examination of vaginal secretions (leukorrhea). A negative result means there is no imbalance in vaginal flora or bacterial infection, which is considered a normal outcome. However, a negative BV test only rules out bacterial infection and cannot exclude infections caused by other microorganisms, such as trichomonas or Candida. Therefore, additional indicators are needed to determine the presence of vaginitis. Women should maintain good personal hygiene in daily life, avoid douching and unprotected sexual intercourse, to help prevent vaginitis. If any concerns or symptoms arise, prompt medical consultation and professional diagnosis and treatment are recommended.