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Description

Candidal vulvovaginitis is a relatively common infection affecting women. It can be classified as uncomplicated or complicated based on clinical features, with about 90% of infections being uncomplicated. The classification can help guide the type and course of therapy used to treat the condition.


 

Uncomplicated - all of the following:

(1) mild or moderate in severity

(2) sporadic

(3) due to Candida albicans

(4) host normal

 

Complicated - one or more of the following:

(1) severe

(2) recurrent

(3) due to a species other than Candida albicans (may be azole resistant)

(4) host abnormal

 

Abnormal hosts:

(1) uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

(2) neutropenia

(3) immunosuppression

(4) pregnancy

(5) broad-spectrum antibiotic use

 

Interpretation:

• A patient with uncomplicated disease is fairly easy to treat. Patients respond to short-term courses of oral or topical antifungal agents.

• A patient with complicated disease may require more aggressive therapy lasting 7 days or more. In addition, the patient should be evaluated for candidal infections at other sites.

 


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