Genital Tract Infection
Genital tract infection is commonly a consequence of sexually transmitted disease. Germs responsible include chlamydia, which may produce no symptoms but which may cause chronic pelvic infection and resultant infertility, the gonococcus which causes gonorrhoea and usually produces a heavy vaginal discharge, and syphilis, which may produce a painless ulcer, called a chancre, on the vulva. Under normal circumstances the vaginal secretion is slightly acid, which inhibits the growth of bacteria, but if these are introduced as a result of intercourse with an infected partner, the bacteria overcome the vaginal defences. Infection with the yeast candida may arise as a result of antibiotic treatment which allows the candida to overgrow. Since this may be transmitted to a male partner during unprotected intercourse, the partner (who may have no symptoms) should be treated to prevent reinfection.
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