Hidden infections in women * Diana Clinic in St. Petersburg

Characteristics of pathologies

Diseases included in the list of hidden infections in women are ailments that are contracted during sexual intercourse.
Sometimes such pathologies can be transmitted through everyday contact or from mother to baby (vertical). Diseases are called hidden because such pathologies are difficult to diagnose. They have a small list of manifestations. Most often they are completely asymptomatic. As a rule, pronounced manifestations characterize the stage of the complication.

These infections are almost impossible to diagnose with routine tests, such as bacterial culture or smear. To identify them, special medical studies are needed. Below we will look at what and why you need to test for hidden infections.

The course of the disease can be aggravated by various factors:

unfavorable environmental conditions;
unhealthy diet;
reduced immunity;
stress.

List of hidden female infections

According to statistics, every third woman who is sexually active has one or another type of hidden infection, and in some cases several.

Therefore, this material will be devoted to information about what hidden infections there are in women, their symptoms and first manifestation.

The list of STDs includes 31 pathogens: ectoparasites, fungi, bacteria, viruses. The most famous diseases: HIV, syphilis, herpes, gonorrhea; less known: mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, gardnerellosis, papilloma virus, chlamydia.

Hidden infections in women include:

ureplasma;
gardnerella;
chlamydia;
herpes viruses;
human and urogenital mycoplasmas;
cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Gardnerellosis (bacterial vaginosis) is a latent infection caused by the gardnerella bacterium. In this case, the vaginal microflora is disrupted.

Herpes is a virus that appears on the mucous membranes and skin in the form of blisters. Once the virus enters a woman’s body, it remains there forever. When immunity decreases, the virus manifests itself. This disease is the most common STD.

Candidiasis is an infection that most people know as thrush. It is caused by yeast-like Candida fungi. This fungus is constantly present in a woman’s body, but under favorable conditions it begins to spread and multiply, causing a disease - vaginal candidiasis. This disease is not dangerous to health, but can cause discomfort.

List of hidden infections in women

These diseases are transmitted sexually. The carriers have no complaints.

The spread of hidden infections in women goes through the following stages:

Infections affect the vagina and cervix. This process can cause cervical erosion. Reproduction occurs in the erosion zone, since it has favorable microflora for viruses and bacteria.
The second stage is damage to the uterus and appendages; the infection can also penetrate the urinary tract.
At this stage, the infection in women goes further, affecting the appendages, urinary tract, spreading throughout the body, complaints of irritation of the mucous membranes begin to appear: stomach ulcers, conjunctivitis, stomatitis. An inflammatory process begins in the appendages and uterus, and adhesions can form.

Signs and manifestations of latent infections in women, in other words, symptoms, are the following:

fleeting rashes on the genitals;
vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor;
burning sensation in the vagina;
presence of itching in the vaginal area;
the presence of a burning sensation during urination.

Chlamydia and mycoplasmosis can occur for a long time without symptoms. Recently, the number of hidden sexually transmitted infections includes syphilis, trichomoniasis and gonorrhea. Diseases such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, syphilis, similarly, may not manifest themselves at first and have no symptoms. That is why they are called hidden.

The list of STDs contains 31 pathogens:

viruses,
mushrooms,
bacteria,
ectoparasites.

The most well-known pathologies are herpes, syphilis, and gonorrhea. Lesser-known diseases include: ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, human papillomavirus, gardnerellosis, chlamydia.

So, the main list of hidden infections:

gardnerella;
ureaplasma;
herpes viruses;
chlamydia;
cytomegalovirus (CMV);
candida fungi;
human, urogenital mycoplasmas.

The danger of hidden infections

Hidden infections are transmitted primarily through sexual contact, which is why they are also called sexually transmitted infections. They are insidious in that their carrier may not know about his illness for a long time, but at the same time infect his partner (and in case of promiscuous unprotected sexual intercourse, even several).

Over several months (or even years!) the inflammatory process takes a chronic form and makes itself felt with unpleasant symptoms from the genitourinary area (discomfort, burning, itching, discharge, etc.). The manifestation of the first symptoms is facilitated by a decrease in immunity due to poor environmental conditions and poor quality nutrition.

Without special diagnostics, these diseases cannot be identified, and in most cases, patients go to the doctor only during exacerbations, and some completely ignore their health and do not rush to the clinic.

The most dangerous complications of latent infections can be:

infertility;
pregnancy pathologies;
prostatitis;
vesiculitis;
epididymitis;
pathologies of the musculoskeletal system;
diseases of the cardiovascular system;
visual impairment.

In children, hidden infections can appear from an infected mother during childbirth.

The peculiarity of sexually transmitted infections is that they are difficult to treat, even with the help of antibiotic therapy. Unfortunately, having recovered, a person is not immune from re-infection.

What infections are classified as hidden?

The most common hidden infections today are:

syphilis;
gonorrhea;
chlamydia;
ureaplasmosis;
cytomegalovirus;
mycoplasmosis;
herpes virus;
gardnerellosis;
papillomavirus;
Hepatitis B;
HIV.

The earlier the infection is detected, the faster and more successful treatment will be. A specialist dermatovenerologist, urologist, gynecologist or andrologist will help determine the presence of the pathogen in the patient’s body.

General symptoms

Sexually transmitted diseases in women are manifested by primary symptoms, which include:

burning and itching feeling in the genital area;
rash that appears on the genitals;
intimate discharge that has an unpleasant odor, uncharacteristic color, quantity and consistency;
pain or a strong feeling of discomfort during intimate intercourse, which may also appear after sexual intercourse;
pain and discomfort during urination, the frequency of urge increases significantly.

If at least one of the signs described above appears, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible and undergo a comprehensive examination in order to accurately determine the presence of infection in the body.

More complex, delayed symptoms may also appear, including the following:

disturbances and disruptions of the menstrual cycle occur;
in the pelvis, a woman is bothered by unpleasant painful sensations;
miscarriage, infertility.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with Infectious diseases have a latent incubation period.
Any of the latent infections has certain signs and characteristics of the course, and they can have serious consequences for the whole organism. Not only the genitourinary system, but also other organs and systems may be affected.

Herpes virus

The development of the disease can be provoked by various types of virus, which is found in the body of every, even completely healthy, person.

It is simply impossible to cure herpes once and for all, since there is a tendency to relapse if there is a sharp decrease in the immune system.

It can manifest itself in the form of characteristic rashes on the skin, including on the mucous membranes, painful blisters and redness appear.

A strong feeling of discomfort, butt and pain in the perineal area begins to bother me, and every day the unpleasant symptoms only intensify. There is a sharp deterioration in health, copious discharge occurs from the vagina, and body temperature rises. If timely treatment is not started, a blistering rash begins to appear on the genitals, which also affects neighboring areas.

Gardnerellosis

Vaginal dysbiosis or bacterial vaginosis, which was caused by the bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis, which is present in small quantities in the normal microflora of the vagina. However, during a decrease in immunity or the manifestation of some other disorder that causes the death of lactobacilli (milk bacteria), its rapid proliferation begins.

Signs of this disease include:

itching, burning and pain, aggravated by sexual intercourse;
the appearance of copious whitish or gray discharge that has an unpleasant aroma, possibly with a foamy consistency. Over time, they can become sticky, thick, and yellow-green in color.

There is a possibility of the following complications:

inflammation of the vagina;
onset of premature labor;
urethritis;
inflammation of the uterus, cervix, appendages;
miscarriage.

Candidiasis

Thrush is caused by yeast-like fungi that belong to the genus Candida. This type of fungus is found in the vaginal microflora in small quantities. If the fungus begins to multiply uncontrollably, vaginal candidiasis develops.

Manifests itself with the following symptoms:

cheesy white discharge;
unpleasant painful sensations occur during urination and sexual intercourse;
concerned about the feeling of burning and itching of the genitals, which may intensify.

Doctors believe that candidiasis has no delayed threat to a woman’s health, but requires timely treatment.

There are no obvious signs, but clear discharge may come out of the vagina, and painful sensations occur during urination or sexual intercourse.

Mycoplasmosis can cause the following diseases:

appendages;
urethra;
vagina;
cervix and uterine cavity;
the development of the placenta is disrupted;
infertility;
polyhydramnios;
miscarriage.

Ureaplasmosis

It is caused by the bacterium Ureaplasma Urealiticum. There are no specific signs, the only exception being clear vaginal discharge; a burning sensation during sexual intercourse and urination may be disturbing.

narrowing of the urethra (stricture);
inflammation of the fallopian tubes;
fetal pathologies;
adhesions form.

Chlamydia

This is one of the most well-known hidden infections, which is provoked by the intracellular microorganism Chlamydia. As a rule, the course is asymptomatic, sometimes minor itching bothers you, you may feel pain during urination, and the urge to go to the toilet becomes more frequent.

If the disease is not diagnosed in time and in the absence of proper treatment, symptoms such as fever, a feeling of general malaise, pain in the lower abdomen, and menstrual irregularities may appear.

The consequences of latent chlamydia can be:

rectum;
cervix;
peritoneum;
ovaries;
fallopian tubes.

Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegaly is a disease caused by a type of human herpes virus type 5 (Cytomegalovirus). If a person has a strong immune system, the disease will proceed latently, and the virus can remain suppressed for several years.

Symptoms during an exacerbation of the disease are similar to those of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections - high fever, weakness, headache, which makes diagnosis much more difficult. It is very difficult in old age with weak immunity.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with Ureaplasma in women, the smell of discharge

The following complications may occur:

pneumonia;
premature birth;
gastroenteritis;
intrauterine fetal death;
hepatitis;
miscarriage;
arthritis;
inflammation of the spleen;
encephalitis.

This is where the list of the most common hidden infections in women ends; now we will tell you how to identify the problem and tests will help us with this.

Herpes virus

Most pathologies do not manifest themselves at all in the early stages. Therefore, patients seek medical help only during progression or exacerbation of the disease.

It is very important to suspect the development of the disease in a timely manner. To do this, you must know what hidden infections there are in women and their symptoms.

The primary signs of the development of pathology are:

A feeling of itching and burning appears in the genital area.
During or after an intimate relationship, there is a feeling of discomfort, sometimes even pain.
There is a discharge that has an uncharacteristic color, specific consistency and unpleasant odor.
A rash may appear on the genitals.
The process of urination is accompanied by discomfort and pain. There is a frequent urge to go to the toilet.

If you have at least one of these symptoms, you must definitely consult a doctor and undergo the prescribed examination.

Delayed, more complex manifestations include the following symptoms:

The menstrual cycle is disrupted.
A woman cannot bear a child.
Infertility.
Uncomfortable and painful sensations appear in the pelvis.

It should be understood that each latent infection has a certain set of symptoms and characteristics of its course. In addition, they can lead to a wide variety of serious complications, affecting not only the genitourinary system, but also many other organs.

How do infections of the female genital organs manifest?

In the vast majority of cases, women experience the following symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection:

pain during urination
fairly frequent trips to the toilet, while daily diuresis does not change
presence of foul-smelling leucorrhoea discharged from the genital tract
pain and discomfort during intercourse

Symptoms of infection appear characteristic of a specific type of pathogen of the genital organs. Eg:

papillomavirus pathology is characterized by the formation of warty growths and condylomas in the anogenital zone
for a fungal infection (candidiasis) - the presence of a cheesy white discharge with the smell of sour milk and severe itching
for syphilis - the formation of ulcerative lesions (chancre) on the genitals and enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes
Gonorrhea is characterized by purulent discharge and hyperemia of the vulvar mucosa
for trichomonas colpitis - the presence of foamy discharge with the smell of rotten meat
Genital herpes is characterized by the presence of blisters with transparent contents and a strong burning sensation in the affected area. An increase in body temperature is often observed.

In most cases, the symptoms of infection in women depend on where the lesion occurs.

If the infection is localized in the urethra, there will be complaints of frequent visits to the toilet, as well as pain and discomfort when urinating.

Symptoms of an infection of the labia will include hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane, as well as pain when touched.
If the cervical canal is damaged (cervicitis), a woman will complain of bleeding during or after sexual intercourse.
inflamed endometrium (endometritis) will make itself felt by pathological manifestations of menstrual irregularities in the form of painful sensations in the lower abdomen.

The timing of the appearance of the first signs of infectiousness varies depending on the type of pathology.

The incubation period for STIs varies for different diseases. It can be several days or stretch over time up to several months and even years. In some cases, the disease may occur without any characteristic symptoms. As a rule, in about 20-40% of cases and even more often, signs of infection do not appear.

Human papillomavirus

This is a rather unpleasant pathology from which it is impossible to completely recover. It is provoked by various types of viruses found in the body of all people, even completely healthy ones. In the case of certain factors, for example, a sharp decrease in immunity, the pathology begins to develop rapidly.

Symptoms of latent infections in women and men are quite similar.

The following signs indicate herpes:

pain, itching in the genital area;
rashes on the skin and mucous membranes (we are talking about a blistering rash);
presence of mucous discharge;
body temperature may increase;
After the bubbles burst, scabs form, causing severe pain.

The disease can lead to quite unpleasant complications:

meningitis;
conjunctivitis;
keratitis;
encephalitis;
damage to the central nervous system.

This infection leads to the appearance of various formations on the skin and mucous membranes: warts, condylomas. The pathology is characterized by a long course without pronounced symptoms. Exacerbation of the disease occurs against the background of decreased immunity.

Most often, HPV is detected during examinations during pregnancy or during studies to detect cancer.

A woman may suspect the development of the disease based on the following signs:

genital warts, warts appear on the lips, in the mouth, on the genitals;
cervical erosion is diagnosed.

If not treated promptly, HPV can lead to various types of malignancies.

What are the dangers of hidden sexually transmitted infections?

Since latent infectious diseases in women are asymptomatic in most cases, they are detected only at 2-3 stages. They can quickly spread in the body and parasitize the mucous membranes of not only the genital organs, but also the entire body. They can cause harm to health in the mouth, eyes, joints, and throat. Most antibiotics and antibodies in the human body cannot cope with them.

If you do not pay attention to the slightest manifestations of infections and symptoms, the disease will become chronic and take root in the female body for a long time. The immunity of people with hidden infections is reduced, which exposes the body to the possibility of infection with other diseases.

If not diagnosed in a timely manner and without proper treatment, latent infections can lead to serious consequences. Advanced forms can develop into vesiculitis and epididymitis. And even with these diseases, body temperature may rise sharply, general malaise, pain in the groin and lower abdomen, cystitis, difficulty urinating, blood in the urine. If these infections are not treated, the entire genitourinary system may be affected.

Hidden infectious diseases in women can also cause infertility. If an inflammatory process occurs in the uterus, then it cannot hold the fertilized egg, inflammation of the ovaries leads to the inability to form an egg, and an increase in cycles without ovulation is typical. Processes can be especially dangerous when pregnancy occurs.

We suggest you read: Can a man get thrush from a woman?

Scientists have proven the fact that some STDs can cause malignant tumors in the female reproductive system, most often cervical cancer.

It must be remembered that after any process of unprotected sex with partners in whom you are not entirely sure, it is better to undergo examination in special clinics.

Timely detection and treatment of hidden infections in women will undoubtedly help you protect and preserve your body from the most serious diseases.

Doctors strongly recommend that women undergo an annual medical examination to identify hidden infections!

How and with what to treat female genital infections

The method of therapy depends on the type of infection that caused the pathological process.

Infection of the female genital organs is caused by various groups of microorganisms.

Therefore, depending on the disease, certain drugs are prescribed.

Diseases that are caused by bacteria (chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea) are treated with antibacterial drugs. The doctor will tell you what antibiotics to take after a full examination. Due to the fact that every year sexually transmitted infections develop more and more resistance to antibiotics, diseases become more difficult to treat, as pathogens become resistant to antibiotics that previously dealt with them perfectly. Thanks to it, it becomes more and more difficult to cope with the infection each time and there are practically no therapeutic options left. They can be used in different forms: injections or tablets. Monural is used to treat cystitis. For syphilis, penicillin antibiotics are prescribed. They are administered intramuscularly. To treat gonorrhea, Ceftriaxone is used, which is prescribed intravenously or intramuscularly.
For genital herpes and HIV infection, drugs with antiretroviral action are used. They are able to weaken the impact of the virus, but cannot completely rid a person of the infection. The virus remains in the body forever.
For trichomoniasis, protozoal drugs are prescribed. For example, Tinidazole or Ornidazole.
To treat hepatitis, immunomodulators and antiretroviral drugs are prescribed. Immunomodulators help protect the liver from the toxic effects of antiviral drugs.
To treat fungal pathologies, drugs with a fungicidal effect are used. Systemic and local drugs are prescribed. The use of topical treatment is essential for candidiasis. Vaginal suppositories or tablets are prescribed. Prescribed drugs for internal use with fluconazole or Clindamycin. Their effectiveness is noted in 90% of cases. If there is no effect after treatment, tests are taken to culture the biomaterial for sensitivity to antifungal drugs. Based on the results obtained, further therapy is carried out.
Therapy for diseases caused by viruses depends on the type of pathogen. In case of HPV, tumors are removed with further administration of immunomodulators.

Candidiasis (thrush)

Continuing to consider the list of hidden infections in women, we should dwell on this disease. This is a fairly common pathology.

The disease is caused by yeast-like fungi belonging to the genus Candida. They, in small quantities, are always found in the vagina. When this fungus multiplies, a woman develops vaginal candidiasis.

It is characterized by the following symptoms:

white discharge with a cheesy consistency;
urination and sexual intercourse cause pain;
Itching and burning appear in the genital area.

Doctors believe that the disease does not lead to serious consequences. However, it still requires proper treatment.

Smear for bacteriological culture in women

The analysis involves inoculating women's secretions onto nutrient media.

After the formation of colonies of microorganisms, the laboratory technician can determine the type of pathogen.

The results of the study take several days to prepare, which presents some inconvenience for the doctor and the patient.

What infections in women can be detected by doing a bacterial culture test?

Mycoplasmosis

This disease does not manifest itself with pronounced symptoms. The pathology is caused by the microorganisms mycoplasma hominis and genitalium. Such species parasitize the genitourinary system.

Sometimes mycoplasmosis makes itself felt through clear discharge or painful discomfort during intimate contact or urination. The pathology is quite dangerous due to its complications.

It can lead to:

diseases of the appendages, vagina, uterus, urethra;
impaired development of the placenta, miscarriage, polyhydramnios;
infertility.

Diagnosis of diseases

Of course, you must understand that the list is not limited to the pathologies listed above (if we consider hidden infections).

Tests in women and men make it possible to diagnose a wide variety of diseases. And, as you have already seen, there are a lot of them.

So, to diagnose hidden infections, the following tests are prescribed:

General smear. A scraping taken from the genital organs is examined at the cellular level.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This is a study that involves identifying an immunological reaction to certain pathogens that are found in biological material taken from the patient. The analysis has a high level of sensitivity. But the study reveals not the pathogen itself, but the reaction to it.
Bacteriological culture (BAC). It shows the microflora and allows you to determine the sensitivity of a given type of infection to antibacterial drugs. In a favorable environment, the infection develops rapidly. After just a few days, a systemic culture is formed. It is in this form that its sensitivity to drugs can be determined.
Polymer chain reaction (PCR). This analysis determines the DNA and RNA of the pathogen itself. For this purpose, various biological materials are being studied. The analysis provides a description of the pathogen that provoked the development of a latent infection, determines the duration of the disease and provides a quantitative assessment of the disease.
Immunofluorescence reaction (RIF). In this study, biological material is exposed to various staining reagents. This allows us to study the infection in more detail at the cellular level.

Other tests for detecting hidden infections

There are various methods for identifying hidden infections, which include:

Laboratory bacterioscopy (smear)
. A smear is taken from the urethra in men and from the vagina in women. The bacteria are placed in a nutrient medium, and the colonies are grown and examined under a microscope.
Enzyme immunoassay ELISA
. The body's responses are studied according to the antigen-antibody principle.
Immunofluorescence reaction (RIF)
. The smear material is stained with special reagents that emit light differently under a fluorescent microscope.
Polymerase chain reaction PCR
. Detects DNA and RNA from a microorganism, allowing you to accurately determine the nature of the infection and the extent of its spread.

Based on the test results, the doctor gives advice and recommendations to the patient. The sooner treatment begins, the sooner recovery will occur.

Cost of tests

The fair half is concerned about many questions when it comes to hidden infections in women: the list, the cost of tests, how to prepare for them and where to take them.

Before considering the answers to the topics of concern, it is important to remember the following. To eliminate the risk of developing hidden infections, every woman should undergo a bacterial smear annually. The study can be carried out in any clinic specializing in this area.

Now let’s look at how much tests for hidden infections in women cost.

List of studies that are most often offered in clinics:

A urogenital smear costs on average 300 rubles.
Cytological examination – about 700 rubles.
Diagnostics for the presence of Papillomavirus will cost 700 rubles.
Histological examination costs 1,590 rubles.

Complexes of tests for hidden infections

Many laboratories offer comprehensive tests for hidden infectious diseases of the urogenital tract.

It is cheaper to undergo the examination in a complex. PCR is most often used. A smear is taken from the urethra, cervix, and vagina. It is tested for 6, 8, 12 or 15 infections. The minimum set includes DNA determination of Trichomonas, gonococcus, chlamydia, herpes, ureaplasma, mycoplasma. When expanding the line, viral infections, candidiasis, and gardnerellosis are added to the complex.

Preparing for tests

In order for the diagnosis to be carried out as accurately as possible, the woman is advised to prepare properly for it.

To do this, you must follow a number of important rules:

Bacterial material should be taken on the 5th or 6th day from the start of the menstrual cycle.
2 weeks before the tests you should stop taking the following medications: antibiotics, antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs.
It is recommended to abstain from sexual intercourse for several days before taking the test.
24 hours before diagnosis, you should not use local contraceptives, intimate hygiene products, or antiseptics. In addition, douching is not recommended during this period.

Tests for hidden infections are prescribed to all couples who are planning to have a baby. This diagnosis is especially important for those men and women who have been unable to have an heir for a long time. After all, advanced infections very often lead to infertility. Therefore, do not forget about the need for annual testing.