Difference Between Yeast Infection and Bacterial Infection
A vast majority of females around the world fall victim to yeast infection and bacterial infection at any stage of their lives. These are very hushed topic because they concern private genetic parts of a female body. Most of them feel shy to talk about it even to their doctors. Bacterial infection is known as BV or bacterial vagionosis. Women suffering from vaginal infections tend to misinterpret these. Hope this article could bring some light to the topic and put the suffering to an end, up to some extent by helping them find the right treatment for their infection problem.
Yeast infection is caused by fungus overgrowth. The yeast Candida Albicans is present in body already. Overuse of antibiotics, malnutrition, weak immune system, diabetes or hormonal imbalance during pregnancy cause this yeast to overgrow. Consult your gynecologist immediately if you have burning sensation, itching or pain in vagina during sex. Some ladies may have lumpy yeast stinking white mucous discharge as well. OTC drugs are also available to encounter the infection but a doctor prescription would be better. Yogurt, raw garlic and tea tree oil are tried and trusted home remedies.
On the other hand, bacterial infection is caused by bacteria. Lactobacillus is bacteria that are already present in otherwise healthy vagina. These keep vagina’s pH level slightly acidic to keep it away from microbes. When a harmful bacterium replaces Lactobacillus, swelling, itching, and a yellowish discharge which stinks like fish, occurs known as BV. Though, the symptoms are rare and chances are a woman may never feel like them. Antibiotics are given to treat BV.
The biggest difference between bacterial and yeast infection is the odor. Discharge with bad odor is BV. Discharge with no odor is yeast infection. To ascertain BV, doctors use a testing kit to check the vaginal pH levels. In yeast infections, pH levels do not alter or change but in BV, pH levels rise above 4.5. BV happens only in women who had sexual intercourse yet yeast infection can occur anytime, at any given age, even in babies.