Antibiotics for treating bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy
RHL practical aspects by Thinkhamrop J
FIRST CONTACT (PRIMARY CARE) AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL (SECONDARY CARE) LEVEL
At the present time there is little justification for screening and treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV) all pregnant women who come for antenatal care. Pregnant women with symptoms and signs of BV should be tested and treated for it. Clinical criteria or Gram staining of vaginal swabs may be used for making the diagnosis. If these two tools are not available because of a lack of trained personnel, Papanicolaou (Pap) smear testing could be used for BV: in some countries Papanicolaou (Pap) smear testing could be used for BV: in some countries a pelvic examination and Pap test are an integral part of routine antenatal care.
This document should be cited as: Thinkhamrop J. Antibiotics for treating bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy: RHL practical aspects (last revised: 4 July 2007). The WHO Reproductive Health Library; Geneva: World Health Organization.