Gram Stain High Vaginal Swab Test Cost & Procedure

The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include an elevated vaginal pH, a milky, creamy discharge, and an amine- or fishy-smelling odour. It is what defines bacterial vaginosis microbiologically. Only women in reproductive years or postmenopausal women receiving oestrogen replacement therapy should utilise this scored Gram stain to diagnose bacterial vaginosis. Because it affects so many women, bacterial vaginosis is a significant genital syndrome. It has been linked to pregnancy issues like chorioamnionitis, amniotic fluid infection, and post-cesarean endometritis.

What is a test for bacterial vaginosis?

• A bacterial vaginal infection can be identified using a bacterial vaginosis test. It's also known as a wet mount test or a vaginal pH test.
• Your vaginal fluid sample is used for the test. After that, a medical professional performs one or more of the following:
  1. Examines the sample's cells under a microscope.
  2. Check the fluid with tests.
  3. The sample is in a lab so that it can be discussed.

A bacterial vaginosis test is used when?

Medical professionals use this test to assess whether a patient has an infection known as bacterial vaginosis. Both beneficial and dangerous bacteria are abundant in a healthy vagina. Yet, there is occasionally an imbalance. Some signs could be:

• A burning feeling upon odour.
• Fishy is a common way to describe offensive odour.
• Female discharge that is grey or white.
• Itching, discomfort, or pain.

How does a test for bacterial vaginosis operate?

1. The initial step of this test is to collect a vaginal fluid sample.
2. Various tests can be run on that sample to check for bacterial vaginosis.
3. The majority are:
   • Wet mount: In this technique, a sample of vaginal discharge is mounted on a glass slide, mixed with a salt solution, and viewed through a microscope. A vaginal smear or wet prep are other names for this test. A specialist looks for bacteria, white blood cells, or clue cells in the sample. The vaginal wall contains these cells. They have a bacterial infection if their borders are hazy.
   • Using a whiff test, the smell of a sample of vaginal discharge is determined. The medical professional mixes a specific solution into the sample. The presence of a strong fishy odour can establish bacterial vaginosis.
   • Vaginal pH: A vaginal pH test determines the ratio of the sample's acidity to its alkalinity. The pH increases when there is bacterial vaginosis.

What do the findings indicate?

• Wet mount or whiff test results are either standard or abnormal.
• A usual outcome signifies the absence of a bacterial infection. An abnormal result confirms vaginal infection.
• A pH test yields a number as a result. A pH that is higher than usual is a factor in bacterial vaginosis.
• A typical, healthy vagina has an acidic pH range of 3.8 to 4.5.
• Any number over 4.5 is regarded as high. A high pH increases the risk of vaginal infection.