In a world, where everyday people are becoming more open and frank about their problems, some issues are still less talked about due to embarrassment and one of them is female reproductive health.
This is a story of Rambha, 30yr old brave women who took matters in her hand and solved her problem. Rambha lives in a small village with her husband and two kids, where many families used common toilet. One fine day, she experienced an irritating and uncomfortable sensation in her vagina, which she ignored at first, but the next day, it increased in intensity. She noticed abnormal discharge and felt burning pain during urination.

When she talked to her husband about the same, he advised her to see the doctor In the nearby PHC. She along with her husband went to see the doctor where her vitals were measured( BP 130/80mmHg, Temp 98.9F).

The doctor asked about her issues and history regarding missed periods, any chronic illness or medication allergies was taken. Her random blood sugar (RBS) was also measured which was under normal value. (<140mg/dl). She then proceeded for per speculum vaginal examination, which revealed curdy white discharge and redness (excoriation) in the vaginal walls. The doctor took the sample, and on saline wet mount, thin thread like structure was revealed.
The doctor told her not to worry as it is a case of Candidiasis (caused by Candida albicans), which is very common in females. This infection results due to overgrowth of yeast in our body. It may present as infection of skin, mouth or vagina where it is normally present in small amounts.

The balance is maintained when it’s growth is controlled by other bacteria and balance is disrupted from stress, poor diet, poor personal hygiene and in immunocompromised patients.

Vaginal Candidiasis is so common that it affects around 55% of woman at least once in their lifetime. Many programs started by our Government of India for STI (sexually transmitted infections)/RTI (Reproductive  Tract infections). Suraksha Clinic is one such program at community level, where syndromic management is the focus. To make the treatment easy, 7 Kits are made with combination of medicines which covers most of the STI/RTI.
Rambha was given KIT 2 (GREEN KIT) which included:
1.TAB SECNIDAZOLE 1g (2tab) stat
2.TAB FLUCONAZOLE 150mg (1tab) Stat

Follow up is usually not required in vaginal candidiasis. However, patient with recurrent and continuous symptoms are advised to visit doctor when needed. There is high risk of recurrence in the vaginal candidiasis cases (according to CDC- recurrence is defines as 3 or more symptomatic episodes in less than 1 year). If recurrence occurs.

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