Culture And Sensitivity Aerobic Vaginal Swab
What is this test?
Vaginal swab culture and sensitivity is a technique predominantly used in obstetrics and gynecology departments of a hospital to test the sensitivity of the aerobic bacteria, which may be the reason for infections in the vagina. This test is done on women and young girls who are more vulnerable to get vaginal infections. Diabetic women are at a higher risk of developing vaginal infections.
What are Bacteria, Aerobic Bacteria, and their types?
Bacteria are the single-celled micro-organisms that can live within the soil, in the ocean and also inside the human gut. They have a number of shapes such as spirals, rods, and spheres etc. Some bacteria can cause illness to the human body and some other plays a major role in the overall functioning of our ecosystem.
Aerobic bacteria are the bacteria which can survive in the presence of oxygen only. In the absence of oxygen, aerobic bacteria cannot survive and can die. Some of the aerobic bacteria are Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Nocardia, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis etc. When some of these bacteria cause infection to the vagina, then the condition is known as Aerobic vaginitis AV.
Why this test is performed?
This test is performed to check if an individual is suffering from infection due to aerobic bacteria or not. This test may be recommended to you by a physician, if you experience symptoms like pain or discomfort during intercourse, vaginal discharge with a bad smell, burning sensation during urination, itching or irritation around or at the vagina, swelling outside the vagina, etc.
This test also helps the doctors to plan the treatment according to the type of bacteria, that infects the vagina. The test is also performed to check the effectiveness of the treatment. This test also helps in diagnosing the aerobic bacterial vaginosis (infection of the vagina caused by aerobic bacteria).
Also known as C/S Aerobic Vaginal Swab.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Culture And Sensitivity Aerobic Vaginal Swab. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Culture And Sensitivity Aerobic Vaginal Swab.
For this test, your doctor may ask you to avoid douching for 24 hours before the test. Sometimes it is also recommended not to have intercourse for at least 24 hours prior to the test.
Understanding your test results
The test results may vary depending on age, health history, medical condition, etc.
If your test results are negative, then it may indicate that there are no signs of growth of aerobic bacteria.
If your test results are positive, then it may indicate there is a chance for growth of aerobic bacteria which means you may have an aerobic bacterial infection in the vagina.
If abnormal test results were seen, consult your doctor immediately with your lab test reports.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| FEMALE | All age groups | The growth depends on the infecting organism. Clearing around the disc indicates organism is sensitive to antibiotic |