This bacterial infection can come back or become a long-term (chronic) condition. In rare cases, it can cause these problems:
These problems may need to be treated in the hospital. You may need an IV antibiotic medicine or surgery.
Treatment may include the following:
Your healthcare provider can diagnose this type of infection if you have had an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold, for 10 days or more without improvement or with symptoms that do not go away or even get worse. Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history and symptoms. He will check your vital signs, including your temperature. They will also do an exam. Your healthcare provider will check your ears, nose, and throat. You probably won't need any tests. If the infection comes back, you may have other tests.
Symptoms can be different for each person and may include the following:
These are other symptoms you may have:
This type of infection often occurs after an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold. The bacteria then infect the membranes of the nasal cavity and sinuses. But you can also get it if you have any of the following:
The nasal cavity is the large air-filled space behind the nose. The sinuses are a group of spaces formed by the bones of the face. They connect with the nasal cavity. Bacterial infection causes the tissue that lines these spaces to become inflamed. Mucus may not be able to drain normally. That causes pain in the face and other symptoms.
Finally, your last infection is gone! If you have had frequent vaginal yeast infections, you may want to know how you can prevent more. There are several ways to prevent yeast infections.
Find the right medicine for you. If you have had more than four yeast infections in the past year, your doctor may recommend that you take medicine regularly for six months to prevent yeast infections. Depending on the nature of the medication used, the treatment may be taken every day, every week, every two weeks or every month. This treatment should be monitored by your doctor.
When talking to your doctor, it is important that you remember that different medications meet different needs. For example, if you have difficulty considering the prospect of taking medication by mouth, there are products that are applied inside the vagina.
Control other ailments. Recurrent vaginal yeast infections can be a sign of an underlying medical condition like diabetes. If you have a chronic condition and also have vaginal yeast infections, see your doctor. It can determine if your condition increases your risk for vaginal yeast infections and help you better control your underlying condition. Better management of your health, such as diabetes and certain immune system disorders, can help lower your risk of getting another vaginal yeast infection.
Stay clean, dry and comfortable. Vaginal deodorants and sprays, abrasive cleansers, douches, and scented soaps can irritate the skin, making it more susceptible to infections. Avoid using these products. Regular soap and water will do just as well. After you use the bathroom, wipe yourself from front to back to avoid contamination of the vaginal area with fecal bacteria. Wear clothes that are not too tight and choose cotton underwear (or underwear with cotton crotch) rather than synthetic fabrics. Dry your vaginal area thoroughly after taking a bath or shower. If you heed these tips, heat and humidity can increase the risk of
Eat one yogurt a day. Studies have shown that eating 240 mL (about one cup) of yogurt per day can reduce your risk of vaginal yeast infection. But this is not true for all kinds of yogurt - make sure you choose one that contains the active bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus . More studies should be carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of yogurt in the treatment of yeast infections. If you have been prescribed an antibiotic, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for information about the risks of getting a vaginal yeast infection and about taking over-the-counter probiotics.
If you take these steps and you are still having trouble getting rid of yeast infections, see your doctor for help. You don't have to live with repeated vaginal yeast infections. There are effective treatments. The next time you have a vaginal yeast infection, make an appointment and see your doctor rather than treating it yourself. Your doctor can help you find the reason for these frequent infections and recommend an effective treatment that is right for you.
