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Question: I've had a terrible vaginal infection, bad odor, itching,irritated anus, yellow/green mucus discharge...I had a pelvic exam and found Heavy growth of Enterobacter Clocae Complex, heavy growth. I was put on Ciprofloxacin 500mg every 12 hours 7 days...I still have discharge...the odor is gone...should.I be worried is this potentially deadly, I haven't gotten many answers from my doctor...Cipro made m miserably sick
Brief Answer:
DONT WORRY AS LONG AS YOU COMPLETED THE COURSE
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
How long back have the antibiotics been completed ?
It is a serious organism to infect the vagina, as it is normally an intestinal pathogen.
It is a rare one also.
Have you indulged in unprotected anal sex ?
Sometimes, wiping from back to front after using the washroom can result in this infection, as can inadequate perineal hygiene, using public restrooms etc.
Complete and thorough treatment of the infection should have you safe, nothing to worry about if you completed the course of antibiotics prescribed.
Also, mild discharge is normal.
As there is no itching, odour, redness, you should be fine.
A repeat vaginal swab should be done after a month to confirm that the infection is totally eradicated.
Relax , and use condoms meanwhile till you are thoroughly cured.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
DONT WORRY AS LONG AS YOU COMPLETED THE COURSE
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
How long back have the antibiotics been completed ?
It is a serious organism to infect the vagina, as it is normally an intestinal pathogen.
It is a rare one also.
Have you indulged in unprotected anal sex ?
Sometimes, wiping from back to front after using the washroom can result in this infection, as can inadequate perineal hygiene, using public restrooms etc.
Complete and thorough treatment of the infection should have you safe, nothing to worry about if you completed the course of antibiotics prescribed.
Also, mild discharge is normal.
As there is no itching, odour, redness, you should be fine.
A repeat vaginal swab should be done after a month to confirm that the infection is totally eradicated.
Relax , and use condoms meanwhile till you are thoroughly cured.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
she never really explained it to me, an no anl intercourse....i seem to have been having anal leakage and had a hard time keeping everything really clean especially since i just gave birth, i finished the antibiotica 4 days ago and now i have bad itching and a sweet smelling discharge and still some anal discomfort...the infection seems different...the odor is nothing like it was and i didn't itch like this bad before...potential new infection :-(
Brief Answer:
REPEAT A VAGINAL SWAB AT THE EARLIEST.
Detailed Answer:
Yes, that sounds logical now.
It is primarily an anal pathogen.
Following childbirth, there seems to have been some amount of anal incontinence ( was it a vaginal birth ? ).
That would have contaminated the local area, and while cleaning, it could have infected the vagina.
How long back have you had childbirth - have the stitches healed ?
It does sound like a new vaginal infection, only a vaginal swab would confirm that - I urge you not to take it lightly and get a repeat exam and vaginal swab repeated at the earliest.
Focus on meticulous perineal hygiene.
ALWAYS WASH FROM FRONT TO BACK.
It is better to avoid soaps, gels, douches etc.
Just clean profusely with lukewarm water, and then wipe with a gentle non abrasive towel.
Afterwards, wash hands thoroughly with disinfectant.
Wear anti incontinence pads if required briefly.
I know it is difficult after childbirth, but it is well worth the investment.
Take care.
REPEAT A VAGINAL SWAB AT THE EARLIEST.
Detailed Answer:
Yes, that sounds logical now.
It is primarily an anal pathogen.
Following childbirth, there seems to have been some amount of anal incontinence ( was it a vaginal birth ? ).
That would have contaminated the local area, and while cleaning, it could have infected the vagina.
How long back have you had childbirth - have the stitches healed ?
It does sound like a new vaginal infection, only a vaginal swab would confirm that - I urge you not to take it lightly and get a repeat exam and vaginal swab repeated at the earliest.
Focus on meticulous perineal hygiene.
ALWAYS WASH FROM FRONT TO BACK.
It is better to avoid soaps, gels, douches etc.
Just clean profusely with lukewarm water, and then wipe with a gentle non abrasive towel.
Afterwards, wash hands thoroughly with disinfectant.
Wear anti incontinence pads if required briefly.
I know it is difficult after childbirth, but it is well worth the investment.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Okay, I gave birth 7 months ago and this infection developed shortly after coming home from the hospital. They treated me for bacterial vaginosis and then a yeast infection and neither worked, as time went on, they finally did a swab and found the enterobacter cloacae complex. I am worried because the soonest they can get me in is in 10 days... I still have bad anal itching/irritation...Will this ever go away? I am so afraid to sit on anything or let my husband or baby touch anything I was near in fear of passing it on to them :-(
Brief Answer:
CAN BE CURED, NEEDS METICULOUS FOLLOW - UP
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
This does sound to be related to your childbirth and resulting anal incontinence.
Does the anal incontinence still persist ?
Do not worry, the infection will get cured.
It needs rigorous and complete therapy and meticulous follow up on your part.
Enterobacter cloacae complex is notorious for drug resistance, a follow up swab is a must till you get a clean chit.
10 days is fine, it is not too long.
I know it is easier said than done, but avoid itching or handling the area.
You CAN pass on the deadly bacteria to your baby in particular, wash thoroughly and disinfect your hands if you have touched your perineum.
Let me know how the follow up visit goes.
Take care.
CAN BE CURED, NEEDS METICULOUS FOLLOW - UP
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
This does sound to be related to your childbirth and resulting anal incontinence.
Does the anal incontinence still persist ?
Do not worry, the infection will get cured.
It needs rigorous and complete therapy and meticulous follow up on your part.
Enterobacter cloacae complex is notorious for drug resistance, a follow up swab is a must till you get a clean chit.
10 days is fine, it is not too long.
I know it is easier said than done, but avoid itching or handling the area.
You CAN pass on the deadly bacteria to your baby in particular, wash thoroughly and disinfect your hands if you have touched your perineum.
Let me know how the follow up visit goes.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
could you tell me how it can be passed to my baby? i was careless before because i didn't know what i had, when i found out i took him to the pediatrician and he didn't seem to be concerned...since mine is on my anal/vaginal area, how could it be passed or where would the infection affect my baby? what symptoms would i look for? or my husband we had intercourse before my symptoms got bad
Brief Answer:
CAN BE PASSED BY ORAL ROUTE
Detailed Answer:
It is obvious that with unprotected sex, the infection can be passed to your husband.
If you do not wash your hands well, the bacteria would pass on to your baby via his or her mouth, while feeding, changing, cleaning his face etc.
It is an intestinal pathogen, could cause a range of symptoms - fever, an upset tummy, colic etc.
If he is fine, then there is nothing to worry.
I do not want you unduly anxious over it, it is just a theoretical possibility, and you should be doubly vigilant in hand washing, that is all.
CAN BE PASSED BY ORAL ROUTE
Detailed Answer:
It is obvious that with unprotected sex, the infection can be passed to your husband.
If you do not wash your hands well, the bacteria would pass on to your baby via his or her mouth, while feeding, changing, cleaning his face etc.
It is an intestinal pathogen, could cause a range of symptoms - fever, an upset tummy, colic etc.
If he is fine, then there is nothing to worry.
I do not want you unduly anxious over it, it is just a theoretical possibility, and you should be doubly vigilant in hand washing, that is all.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
iwent to walk in clinic and the doctor did not seemed concerned at all about the enterobacter previously found from a vaginal swab and actually had no interest in testing for it he said that there are 100s of bacteria and enterobacter is commonly there...he said h probably has it, he did a swab and said i was treated incorrectly and need to be treated for BV. this is frustrating and confusing?
Brief Answer:
DID THE SWAB INDICATE BV SPECIFICALLY?
Detailed Answer:
Yes it is very confusing indeed.
It is best to follow this up with a Specialist.
Enterobacter is not commonly found in the vagina, it indicates contamination from the gut or perineal skin as I already told you.
Did the repeat swab result mention BV ?
It is possible that you have contracted a different kind of infection - BV this time.
That would explain the different type of odour.
Do you have the swab report that specifically points at BV ?
DID THE SWAB INDICATE BV SPECIFICALLY?
Detailed Answer:
Yes it is very confusing indeed.
It is best to follow this up with a Specialist.
Enterobacter is not commonly found in the vagina, it indicates contamination from the gut or perineal skin as I already told you.
Did the repeat swab result mention BV ?
It is possible that you have contracted a different kind of infection - BV this time.
That would explain the different type of odour.
Do you have the swab report that specifically points at BV ?
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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