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Antibiotic Prescribing - Conditions and Treatments
Eye and Ear
Upper Respiratory
Acute Sinusitis (Adults)
Acute Cough in Children
Otitis Media in Children
Pharyngitis Sore Throat Tonsillitis
Lower Respiratory
Pneumonia and Aspiration Pneumonia in Nursing Homes/Residential Care Facilities
Acute Cough, Bronchitis (Adults)
Bronchiolitis in Children
Acute Cough in Children
Acute Exacerbation of COPD
Community Acquired Pneumonia (Adults)
Community Acquired Pneumonia in Children
COVID -19 Acute Respiratory Infection (Adults)
Azithromycin Prophylaxis in Adults with Respiratory Disease
Influenza
Meningitis
Pregnancy and Postpartum Infections
Prescribing Antimicrobials in Pregnancy and Lactation
Mastitis
Endometritis
Perineal wound infection
C-section wound infection
Nipple and breast thrush
UTI in Pregnancy
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Pregnancy
Influenza in Pregnancy
Urinary
Position Statements Dipstick Urinalysis for UTIs in Adults
Deprescribing UTI prophylaxis
Acute Pyelonephritis
Adult Male UTI
Adult Female UTI
UTI in Long Term Care Residents 65 years
Recurrent UTI in Adult, Non-Pregnant Females
UTI in Children
UTI in Pregnancy
Gastro
Infectious Diarrhoea
Threadworms
Traveller's Diarrhoea
Clostridioides difficile
Helicobacter pylori
Genital
Approach to an STI consultation in Primary Care
Acute Prostatitis
Acute Epididymo-orchitis
Bacterial Vaginosis
Chlamydia trachomatis
Gonorrhoea
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Trichomoniasis
Candida, Genital Thrush
Anogenital Warts
Syphilis
Genital Herpes
Skin/Soft Tissue
Acne Vulgaris - Antibiotic Prescribing
Animal and Human Bite - Antibiotic Prescribing
Candida - Skin and Oral
Cellulitis
Chickenpox
Conjunctivitis - Antibiotic Prescribing
Dermatophyte Infection Fingernail or Toenail
Dermatophyte Skin Infections
Eczema
Headlice
Hidradenitis Suppurativa - Antibiotic Prescribing
Impetigo
Lyme Disease
Pityriasis versicolor / Tinea versicolor
Rosacea
Scabies
Shingles
Staphylococcal Nasal Carriage
Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm)
Oral/Dental
Dry Socket
Dental prescription guidelines
Angular Cheilitis
Acute Sinusitis
Endocarditis Prophylaxis
Pericoronitis
Dental Guidelines
Periodontal Abscess
Acute Dento-Alveolar Infection
Necrotising Gingivitis
Fungal Infections
Safe Prescribing
Communications from AMRIC
Infection Prevention and Control
Drug Interactions
Hospital Related Guidelines
About us
Prescribing for Children
Antibiotic Prescribing - Conditions and Treatments
Safe Prescribing
Drug Interactions
Hospital Related Guidelines
About us
Antibiotic Prescribing
Antibiotic Prescribing - Conditions and Treatments
Genital
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis
Comments from Expert Advisory Committee
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of abnormal
vaginal discharge
in women of reproductive age. It is not considered to be sexually transmitted.
It is characterised by a white, non-irritating, malodorous vaginal discharge. The discharge commonly smells "fishy" and this odour is often more noticeable after sexual intercourse
The diagnosis can be made clinically on the basis of the description and appearance of the discharge. Typically the normal pH of the vagina is increased from normal (<4.5) to above 4.5 and up to 6.0 reflecting the replacement of normal lactobacilli with anaerobic organisms. Treatment can be started without doing a high vaginal swab (HVS). A diagnosis of BV should not be made solely on demonstration of Gardnerella species on a HVS in the absence of symptoms. A HVS is not indicated in the absence of symptoms of vaginal discharge and is not part of a routine STI screen.
Consider sexually transmitted causes of vaginal discharge on the basis of sexual history and consider testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
No benefit in treating male partners
Women experiencing repeated episodes of Bacterial Vaginosis may benefit from using lactic acid vaginal gels to facilitate restoration of the normal vaginal flora. Preparations are available over the counter in pharmacies. Repeated episodes are more frequent in women who practice vaginal douching.
Treatment
Patient Information
Patient information on STIs and genital conditions is available at the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy website
Bacterial Vaginosis PIL
Safe Prescribing
(visit the safe prescribing page)
Doses are oral and for adults unless otherwise stated
Renal impairment dosing table
Safety in Pregnancy and Lactation
Drug interactions table
. Extensive drug interactions for clarithromycin, fluoroquinolones, azole antifungals and rifampicin. Many antibiotics increase the risk of bleeding with anticoagulants.
Visit the
Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) website
for detailed drug information (summary of product characteristics and patient information leaflets). Dosing details, contraindications and drug interactions can also be found in the Irish Medicines Formulary (IMF) or other reference sources such as British National Formulary (BNF) / BNF for children (BNFC).
Reviewed June 2021
Antibiotic Prescribing - Conditions and Treatments
Eye and Ear
Upper Respiratory
Lower Respiratory
Influenza
Meningitis
Pregnancy and Postpartum Infections
Urinary
Gastro
Genital
Approach to an STI consultation in Primary Care
Acute Prostatitis
Acute Epididymo-orchitis
Bacterial Vaginosis
Chlamydia trachomatis
Gonorrhoea
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Trichomoniasis
Candida, Genital Thrush
Anogenital Warts
Syphilis
Genital Herpes
Skin/Soft Tissue
Oral/Dental
Safe Prescribing
Infection Prevention and Control
Drug Interactions
Hospital Related Guidelines
About us
Prescribing for Children