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Is BV An STD? New Research Says Yes—and It's Not Just On Women To Treat

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For some women, bacterial vaginosis, or BV, is such a common occurrence that they find themselves regularly dealing with the vaginal infection—even after treatment. Part of the problem seems to be that it is treated as a women's health issue when it now appears to be a sexually transmitted infection—thanks to a new study. Keep reading to learn more about the recent research that revealed why BV should be considered an STI or sexually transmitted disease (STD) instead of just another health condition women are responsible for treating themselves.

What is bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection that is associated with discomfort and pain in the vagina. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it occurs when the vagina's natural balance of bacteria levels becomes unbalanced and the bacteria grow.

The infection occurs most commonly in women ages 15 through 44, with 35% of women getting it at least once. Research has found that it primarily occurs in those who are sexually active.

Pregnant women are at a higher risk of getting BV, as are people with IUDs, who use douches and are taking antibiotics.

If left untreated, it can increase your risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea. It also can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and even infertility.

The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis

According to the Cleveland Clinic, 84 percent of women with a BV infection don't have any symptoms at all and the most common symptoms for those who do experience them include:

Vaginal itching or irritation

Vaginal discharge that is gray, greenish or off-white

Vaginal discharge that has a fishy smell, particularly after sex.

Study on bacterial vaginosis as an STI

In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers wanted to follow up on prior studies that suggest sexual transmission may be the culprit of repeat infections. In this trial, 164 monogamous couples were recruited.

All the women in the couples were provided with either an oral antibiotic or an intravaginal antibiotic gel or cream—both standard treatments. But for 81 of the couples, the male partner was also treated. This involved both oral and topical antibiotics.

 "It became so clear that treating each sex partner reduced BV occurrence by 60 percent that the trial ended early."

What were the results of the study?

During the trial, only 24 of the 69 women in the dual-treatment group developed BV again. This was a stark contrast from the group where only the women received treatment. In that case, 43 of the 68 female partners were re-infected.

In fact, it became so clear that treating each sex partner reduced BV occurrence by 60 percent that the trial ended early. It was meant to last for 12 weeks initially.

"Our trial has shown that reinfection from partners is causing a lot of the BV recurrence women experience, and provides evidence that BV is in fact an STI (sexually transmitted infection)," senior author Catriona Bradshaw told CNN in an email.

What this means for BV treatment

Liudmila Chernetska/Getty

At this time, more detailed information will need to be provided to health professionals regarding male treatment. In Australia (where the study was conducted), the protocol has already been changed so both partners are being treated when BV is detected.

A willingness of male partners to agree to take both topical and oral antibiotics will be key for successful treatment once women notify them that they have BV.

If you suspect you have BV, you'll want to make an appointment with your healthcare provider—and now, it seems, your partner may want to, too. They will ask you about your medical history, and possibly perform a pelvic exam and take a vaginal discharge sample.

A confirmed case of BV means you'll then be prescribed antibiotics to help treat it.

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

Viral Fever Vs Bacterial Infection: Expert Explains Difference, Causes, Signs And More

The feeling of fever is often accompanied by infection and is mainly caused by two infections: viral and bacterial. Both infections can lead to the patient experiencing similar symptoms but understanding the difference between the two is critical towards providing the correct medication. Knowing the differences ensures that the individual receives the needed medical attention and does not suffer from any further complications.

Viral Fever: According to Dr Meenakshi Jain, Senior Director, Internal Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital Patparganj, a wide range of viruses like Dengue, influenza, COVID-19, etc. Can cause viral fever. When people are infected with any kind of virus, their immune system raises the body's temperature to eliminate the virus, and this is a sign that the immune system is working properly.

Signs of Viral Fever:

Fever Onset: Typically, viral fever develops gradually, starting at a mild temperature ranging from 100F to 103F. This leads to an increase in body temperature over several days.

Other Symptoms: Apart from fever, viral infection can cause patients to have body aches, fatigue, sore throat, coughing, runny nose, constant headaches, and even leads to diarrhoea. Cough and sore throat can affect respiratory viruses, whilst gastrointestinal even nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Duration: When viral fevers set in, it usually lasts from 3 to 7 days because the immune system is gradually defeating the virus.

Antibiotic Effectiveness: Antibiotics can only treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics are ineffective for viral infections.

Bacterial Infection: Bacterial infections stem from harmful bacteria entering the body, which causes inflammation that eventually presents itself as a fever. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can reproduce independently. The most common bacterial pathogens are Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Escherichia coli. They are usually the cause of pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and bacterial meningitis.

Bacterial Infection Signs:

Fever Onset: The onset of fever from a bacterial infection develops rapidly and is more intense than from viral fevers. It is not unusual for temperatures to increase sharply above 103 degrees Fahrenheit.

Other Symptoms: In addition to localized fever, bacteria infections have been known to cause localized pain, increased swelling, or even purulent infections in the region. For instance, UTIs result in Dysuria, while skin infections may present with Erythema, Edema, or Abscess.

Duration: Not-treated bacterial infections can cause severe life-threatening conditions like object failure or sepsis. This particular type of infection can only be cured with antibiotics.

Antibiotic Response: Bacterial infections, unlike viral infections, do respond well to antibiotics. Antipyretics can be used to treat fevers associated with these infections.

The main differences between viral and bacterial infections:

Onset and Severity: Viral fevers tend to start slowly and have a moderately severe nature; bacterial infections usually result in sudden and intense fever.

Symptoms: Bacterial infections may include localised pain, swelling, or pus while viral infections usually present with more non-local symptoms such as a sore throat, body aches, or cough.Duration and Treatment: Viral infections generally resolve spontaneously within a week; bacterial infections require antibiotics to resolve the infection and avoid complications.When to Seek Medical Attention: You need to see a doctor in case a fever lasts more than 3 days; it gets too high; there are signs of difficulty breathing or chest pain, confusion, repeated vomiting, etc. A doctor might do a physical exam, lab tests (blood cultures, viral tests), and sometimes imaging studies to find the exact cause of the infection.

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