| Diagnostic Criteria | Normal | Bacterial Vaginosis | Trichomonas Vaginitis | Candida Vulvovaginitis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaginal pH | 3.8 - 4.2 | > 4.5 | > 4.5 | < 4.5 (usually) |
| Discharge | White to clear, flocculent | Thin, homogeneous, white or gray, adherent, often increased | Yellow-green, frothy, adherent, increased | White, curdy, "cottage cheese"- like, sometimes increased |
| Amine odor (KOH whiff test) | Absent | Present (fishy) | May be present (fishy) | Absent |
| Primary Symptoms | None | Discharge, bad odor (may be worse after intercourse), possible itching/burning | Frothy discharge, bad odor, vulvar pruritus, dysuria | Itching/burning, discharge |
| Microscopic Appearance |  Lactobacilli, epithelial cells |
 Clue cell with adherent coccoid bacteria, no WBCs |
 Trichomonad (arrow), WBCs >10/hpf |
 Budding yeast, hyphae, pseudohyphae (w/KOH prep) |
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Prepared for health care professionals and consumers in the United States.
Copyright 3M National Vaginitis Association 1998
3M Center, 275-3W-01 P.O. Box 33275 Saint Paul, MN 55133-3275