[Summary of the practice guideline 'Vaginal discharge' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners].

Abstract

The 1996 practice guideline of the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) on vaginal discharge has been updated. Most women who visit their doctor with complaints about vaginal discharge do not have an increased risk of a sexually-transmitted disease. Investigations into vaginal discharge comprise history taking, physical examination and microscopic analysis in the laboratory of the general practitioner. Additional investigation into Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and Trichomonas infection is only necessary if the patient history reveals an increased risk of a sexually-transmitted disease. A Candida infection or bacterial vaginosis should only be treated if the patient experiences bothersome complaints. Treatment of a Candida infection consists of a vaginally applied imidazole compound. Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with oral administration of metronidazole. Patients with vaginal fluor can be examined and, if necessary, treated by their general practitioner. Referral to a gynaecologist is rarely necessary.

• Authors: F S Boukes, A J P Boeke, J H Dekker, T Wiersma, A N Goudswaard, Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap
• Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd) Vol. 151 Issue 24 Pg. 1339-43 (Jun 16 2007) ISSN: 0028-2162 [Print] Netherlands
• Vernacular Title: Samenvatting van de standaard 'Fluor vaginalis' (eerste herziening) van het Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap.
• PMID: 17665625 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Practice Guideline)

Chemical References

• Antifungal Agents

Topics

• Antifungal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal (diagnosis, drug therapy, microbiology, pathology)
• Family Practice (standards)
• Female
• Humans
• Netherlands
• Physical Examination
• Practice Patterns, Physicians'
• Risk Factors
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (diagnosis, epidemiology, pathology)
• Vaginal Discharge (diagnosis, drug therapy, microbiology, pathology)