Latent infections in women: list, symptoms, tests. Latent infections in women, symptoms and prevention

As latent infections in women are infections that are sexually transmitted. They have an incubation period of up to 30 days. Types of latent infections include viruses, chlamydia, ureplasma and mycoplasmas. The course of a latent infection is possible in chronic or acute forms.

Infections are so named because a simple smear or bacteriological culture smear cannot detect them. Latent infections can be detected using specially developed DNA hybridization (DNA) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. To date, the most common infections in women include gardnerella, ureplasma, chlamydia, human and urogenital mycoplasmas, herpes viruses and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Thrush, trichomoniasis and streptococci are detected both by DNA and CMV methods, and by taking a simple smear.

Symptoms of latent infections in women

Symptoms of latent infections in women may include:

- the appearance of a burning sensation in the vagina;

- the appearance of itching in the vaginal area;

- the presence of vaginal discharge that has an unpleasant odor;

- sensation of pain during urination;

- the presence of fleeting rashes on the genitals.

Chlamydia and mycoplasmosis can be asymptomatic for a long time. Recently, syphilis, trichomoniasis and gonorrhea have been among the latent sexual infections. These diseases may also not make themselves felt at first and have no manifestations.

If you do not notice the first symptoms of latent infections, then the disease can take root in the female body and go into the stage of a chronic disease. In some cases, latent sexual infections can manifest themselves from other organs and systems. In people with such diseases, the immune system is weakened, and the body begins to resist negative environmental factors worse. These infections must be treated so that they cannot infect, for example, the joints, thereby causing arthritis and arthrosis. In some cases, latent genital infections can affect the membranes of the eyes. In this regard, it is necessary to undergo an inspection for the presence of infections once a year.

Latent sexual infections

When infected with latent sexual infections in carriers who have not developed an infection, there are no complaints.

The spread of infection when it enters the female body occurs in the following way:

1) Infections of the first stage affect the vagina and cervix. At this stage, a woman may experience cervical erosion. Reproduction of infection almost always occurs in the erosion zone, since it is an ideal place for microflora - bacteria and viruses;

2) At the second stage, the uterus and appendages are affected by the infection, it is likely that the infection will penetrate into the urinary tract;

3) At the third stage, a latent infection affects the entire body, and complaints of diseases of the mucous membranes begin to appear (stomatitis, conjunctivitis, stomach ulcers). The lesion of the appendages and urinary tract continues, as a result of which the appendages and the uterus become inflamed, adhesions form in the uterus and tubes.

Consequences of infection with latent infections

The presence of latent infections is one of the most common causes of infertility. If the uterus is inflamed, then it cannot hold the fetal egg, and an egg can not always be formed by the inflamed ovaries, there is an increase in the number of cycles without ovulation. If pregnancy occurs during the presence of a latent infection, then the infections during this period begin to multiply at a very high rate, as a result of which the contact of the uterine wall with the fetal egg is disrupted, and the embryo dies, a miscarriage may occur or the development of the fetal egg may stop.

Sexually transmitted infections can occur in a latent form, without causing acute symptoms of malaise and inflammation of the reproductive organs. The latent course threatens with the development of a sluggish, progressive adnexitis, endometritis, prostatitis, obstruction of the fallopian tubes and infertility. Latent infections are discovered during a medical examination.

Asymptomatic STIs can be present in the body for a long time without manifesting themselves. It is often not possible to detect pathogenic microorganisms or viruses by microscopic examination of vaginal swabs or bacteriological cultures.

Bacteria penetrate into the cells of the mucous membrane, so the body does not produce antibodies that can cope with infectious agents. In the soft tissues of the vagina, an inflammatory process begins to develop, then the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries are affected. In men, inflammation of the prostate gland is diagnosed, sperm production is disrupted. With the defeat of the urinary system develops cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis.

List of hidden infections:

gardnerellosis;
papillomavirus;
chlamydia;
trichomoniasis;
period of HIV;
genital herpes;
mobiluncus;
mycoplasmosis;
cytomegalovirus;
leptothrix.

The latent period of the course of the disease after infection often causes female and male infertility. If pregnancy does occur, there is a risk of intrauterine infection of the fetus, the birth of a child with various pathologies of the internal organs.

Latent STIs provoke abortion in the early stages, lead to the death of the embryo. In men, the quality and quantity of motile spermatozoa deteriorates, and the chance of conceiving a child decreases. If latent infections are not treated for a long time, erectile dysfunction develops, impotence caused by chronic inflammation of the prostate.

The latent (incubation) period of HIV lasts from 3 months to 1 year. At this time, it is impossible to detect an infection, the diagnosis is established if antibodies to the immunodeficiency virus are present in the blood. The shell of the virus does not dissolve in the biological fluids of the body, so the disease does not manifest itself for a rather long period. HIV penetrates into T-lymphocytes and begins to multiply actively, when there are few immune cells, symptoms of the acute stage of the disease begin to appear.

Ways of infection

A latent infection is transmitted sexually (genital, oral, anal), and infection can occur even during the latent period of carriage. In women, when the immune system is weakened, the vaginal microflora is disturbed, the number of beneficial lactobacilli decreases, fungi, mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas, gardnerella, which previously did not cause symptoms of malaise, begin to actively grow.

The causative agents of infections penetrate to the reproductive organs along the ascending path from the surface of the genitals, the mucous membranes of the vagina further into the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. In representatives of the stronger sex, the urethra, seminal canal, and prostate gland are affected.

Many are interested in whether it is possible to get sexually transmitted infections through everyday contact. Diseases are transmitted only during intimacy. Viruses enter the body when they enter the mucous membranes of the oral cavity or genital organs.

In most cases, STIs affect the urinary system, there is a frequent urge to urinate, emptying the bladder causes acute pain and cramps. Urine is excreted in small portions, becomes cloudy, blood may be present.

With the development of a generalized infection, many mucous membranes of the body are affected. Disruption of the immune system contributes to the fact that people often become infected with colds with complications, suffer from stomatitis, conjunctivitis, and gastrointestinal diseases.

How to recognize hidden infections

Diseases do not cause pronounced signs of damage to the genital organs. It is worth to be examined by a doctor in such situations:

increased amount of vaginal discharge;
periodically there are aching pains in the lower abdomen;
the menstrual cycle is disturbed;
having difficulty conceiving a child;
discharge has an unpleasant odor;
worried about itching, redness, swelling of the external genital organs;
body temperature often rises to 37.5 °;
herpetic eruptions appeared in the genital area;
single or multiple papillomas have grown;
enlarged inguinal lymph nodes;
sexual intercourse causes discomfort, pain.

Normally, the volume of vaginal discharge in a woman increases during ovulation; when infected with sexual infections, the secret is constantly produced. At the same time, it becomes cloudy, contains air bubbles, acquires a yellowish tint, putrid or sour smell. With hidden diseases, menstruation is too abundant or, conversely, scanty, spotting, intermenstrual bleeding occurs.

Carrying out diagnostics

To identify hidden infections, you need to take the following in vitro:

Mixed infection is often detected when several types of bacteria, protozoa or viruses are simultaneously present in the test materials. The innovative PCR method (polymerase chain reaction) allows you to accurately determine which pathogens are the cause of the disease, even with a minimal content of pathogenic cells in the blood at the earliest stages. The data obtained help to effectively carry out the treatment.

It is necessary to hand over when uncomfortable symptoms appear in the lower abdomen, at the stage of pregnancy planning and in the early stages of bearing a child.

In vitro laboratory tests are assigned to couples who cannot conceive or bear a child for a long time, women who have experienced previous missed pregnancies, the death of babies.

ELISA tests for latent infections help determine if there are specific antibodies in the blood, assess the titer of pathogenic microorganisms, and correctly prescribe treatment. By the type of immunoglobulins (Ig), they determine how long the pathogen has been in the human body, and at what stage the disease is now.

Vacuum sanitation

In some cases, it is possible to detect the cause of the infection with long-term inflammation only after additional sanitation of the vagina. Such treatment allows you to exfoliate the cells of the mucous membranes affected by viruses or bacteria. Vibrating nozzles cleanse the tissues of mucus, pathogenic microorganisms, free the ducts of the glands.

The method of vacuum sanitation can cure inflammatory diseases of the vagina, cervix and uterine cavity, drain cysts containing pathogenic microorganisms. The obtained material in vitro is examined in the laboratory by ELISA, PCR and the type of pathogen is determined.

Identification of latent infections in the early stages allows timely treatment, prevention of possible complications, and prevention of the transition of the disease to the chronic stage. Both sexual partners should be tested to rule out the possibility of re-infection.

Hello Alexey! Probably, your woman is very upset that she has a hidden sexual infection, so she is inclined to blame you for infecting her. Besides, she's pregnant, and it's quite understandable. But if you are sure that you are not the cause of this infection, try to convey this to her, armed with some facts. Yes, of course, latent infections are transmitted predominantly sexually and are called that way for good reason. Since carriers in whom the infection has just penetrated, but has not developed, do not have any complaints. And this is the reason for the mass infections of these infections by non-sexual means. In addition to sexual transmission, there are other sources of infection. So, pools have become breeding grounds for such infections, because. these infections are perfectly transmitted through water and can lie in wait for us in any body of water. A river, a lake, a pond, even a genital toilet with tap water - all this threatens to become infected with these infections.

Infection occurs, of course, through sexual contact, and not only with genital contact, but with the same probability with oral or anal contact. From the moment of infection to the development of the disease, at least 3 days pass, and on average from 7 to 14 days. This period is called the incubation period. Although in some cases it can last for months. As a rule, in the first three days after infection, it is impossible to detect chlamydia and other “hidden” STIs even with the most sensitive diagnostic methods.

Latent infections include: chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasmas, viruses, etc. Chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, viral infections in 60% of people are asymptomatic (hidden) for a long time. Latent infections include syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis - they can be asymptomatic, thereby falling into the group of hidden infections. Latent infections also include viral infections - herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, human papillomavirus infection. Viral infections often do not bother people, proceeding secretly for many months and even years. Therefore, it is possible that your woman herself or you became infected with a latent infection even before the start of your relationship, being in a sexual relationship with other people. And the asymptomatic course of the disease misled both you and her.

I hope you still find ways to understand and forgive each other, but what to do with pregnancy should be decided by your woman's doctor. The immune system of a pregnant woman is "distracted" to recognize fetal proteins. There is an immunodeficiency so convenient for STDs. And all these pathogens multiply like an avalanche during pregnancy. Therefore, they firmly occupy the first place as the cause of spontaneous abortion. They disrupt the contact of the fetal egg with the wall of the uterus, thus leading to the death of the embryo, the cessation of pregnancy or miscarriage. Treatment, of course, is necessary for both of you.

Sexually transmitted infections, or as they are also called, latent infections, are diseases transmitted through unprotected sexual contact.

There are several ways of transmission of latent infections:

genital;
genital-anal;
genital-oral.

They do not manifest themselves for a long time, or their symptoms are so weak that they do not attract attention and do not force a man or woman to see a doctor. Meanwhile, the consequences of the presence of latent infections in the body can be extremely dangerous:

First, an inflammatory process develops in the vagina and neck in women, the urethra in men.
The infection acquires an ascending character: inflammation of the genital organs appears - the uterus and its appendages in women, the prostate gland, testicles and seminal vesicles in men. Also often develop cystitis, pyelonephritis.
Latent infections gradually lead to a decrease in immunity. Chronic forms, atypical forms with damage to internal organs are also formed. Hidden infections are also dangerous in terms of infertility. The onset of pregnancy against the background of infectious processes can be interrupted ahead of schedule, and intrauterine infection of the fetus is also possible.

pathological discharge from the urethra in men and from the vagina in women. With a long, chronic course, the discharge becomes scarce and does not always attract attention.
can be discomfort when urinating. The development of inflammation of the urethra is evidenced by symptoms such as burning and itching during urination, a frequent desire to urinate.
genital herpes during exacerbation is manifested by the appearance blistering rash in the genital area, labial (oral) - characterized rashes in the mouth.
chlamydia, in addition to lesions of the genitals, can cause damage to the joints and conjunctiva of the eyes: This triad of symptoms is called Reiter's triad. Often this disease develops in the absence of treatment for acute chlamydia.
Human papillomavirus can be of different types, depending on the degree of oncogenicity. The latent course of HPV oncogenic types is dangerous for the development of oncological diseases of the respiratory system, rectum, and cervix. HPV is transmitted from person to person not only through sexual (traditional and non-traditional) and household contacts.
cytomegalovirus more often than other latent infections are asymptomatic, or its course reminiscent of common SARS.

Examination by a dermatovenereologist, gynecologist or urologist of the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs, conjunctiva, and oral cavity.
Examination of a smear from the urethra in men, the cervix and vagina in women, the rectum, conjunctiva, oral cavity: methods such as PCR, microscopy, bacteriological seeding on nutrient media, specific research methods are used.
Blood test for antibodies to infectious agents. A very accurate and effective diagnostic method, especially with a poor clinical picture and atypical forms of the disease, extragenital lesions.

Reception and consultations of doctors

Prevention of infection with latent infections consists in the use of barrier contraception, personal hygiene.

If you suspect a hidden infection - make an appointment!
You are guaranteed to receive qualified specialist assistance quickly and anonymously!

Publications of physicians

Infectious pathologies do not always occur with pronounced symptoms. There is a whole group of diseases that do not make themselves felt for a long time. They are called "hidden infections". Most often, despite their asymptomaticity, they are quite dangerous. Therefore, you should be aware of their existence. To do this, let's look at the list of hidden infections in women. In addition, it is important to understand what studies will help identify these diseases.

Characteristics of pathologies

The diseases included in the list of latent infections in women are ailments that occur during sexual intercourse. Sometimes such pathologies can be transmitted by household means or from mother to baby (vertical).

Diseases are called latent, because such pathologies are difficult to diagnose. They have a small list of manifestations. Most often they are generally asymptomatic. Expressed manifestations characterize, as a rule, the stage of complication.

These infections are almost impossible to diagnose with routine tests such as cultures or smears. To identify them, special medical studies are needed. Below we will consider what and why you need to pass on latent infections.

The course of the disease can be aggravated by various factors:

unfavorable environmental conditions;
malnutrition;
reduced immunity;
stress.

List of hidden infections in women

The list of STDs contains 31 pathogens:

The most famous pathologies are herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea. Lesser known diseases include: ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, human papillomavirus, gardnerellosis, chlamydia.

So, the main list of hidden infections:

gardnerella;
ureaplasma;
herpes viruses;
chlamydia;
cytomegalovirus (CMV);
fungi candida;
human, urogenital mycoplasmas.

General symptoms

Most pathologies do not manifest themselves at all in the early stages. Therefore, patients resort to medical care only during the progression or exacerbation of the disease.

It is very important to suspect the development of the disease in a timely manner. To do this, you must know what are and their symptoms.

The primary signs of the development of pathology are:

In the genital area there is a feeling of itching, burning.
During or after an intimate relationship, there is a feeling of discomfort, sometimes even pain.
Discharges are observed that have an uncharacteristic color, a specific consistency and an unpleasant odor.
A rash may appear on the genitals.
The process of urination is accompanied by discomfort, pain. There are frequent urges to go to the toilet.

If you have at least one of these symptoms, you must definitely consult a doctor and undergo an examination.

Delayed, more complex manifestations include the following symptoms:

The menstrual cycle is disturbed.
A woman cannot bear a child.
Infertility.
Uncomfortable and painful sensations appear in the pelvis.

It should be understood that each latent infection is distinguished by a certain set of symptoms, features of the course. In addition, they can lead to a wide variety of serious complications, covering not only the genitourinary system, but also many other organs.

herpes virus

This is a rather unpleasant pathology, from which it is impossible to completely recover. It is provoked by various types of viruses that are in the body of all people, even completely healthy ones. In the case of certain factors, for example, a sharp decrease in immunity, the pathology begins to develop rapidly.

Symptoms of latent infections in women and men are quite similar.

The following symptoms indicate herpes:

pain, itching in the genital area;
rashes on the skin and mucous membranes (we are talking about a bubble rash);
the presence of mucous secretions;
body temperature may rise;
after bursting of the bubbles, scabs form, provoking severe pain.

The disease can lead to quite unpleasant complications:

meningitis;
conjunctivitis;
keratitis;
encephalitis;
CNS damage.

human papillomavirus

This infection leads to the appearance of various formations on the skin and mucous membranes: warts, genital warts. The pathology is characterized by a long course without pronounced symptoms. The exacerbation of the disease occurs against the background of a decrease in immunity.

Most often, HPV is detected during examinations during pregnancy or in the course of studies to detect cancer.

A woman may suspect the development of the disease for the following signs:

pointed ones appear on the lips, in the mouth, on the genitals;
cervical erosion is diagnosed.

If timely treatment is not taken, HPV can lead to various types of malignant tumors.

Candidiasis (thrush)

Continuing to consider the list of hidden infections in women, we should dwell on this disease. This is a fairly common pathology.

The disease is provoked by yeast-like fungi belonging to the genus Candida. They, in small quantities, are always found in the vagina. When this fungus multiplies, a woman develops

It is characterized by the following symptoms:

white discharge, curdled consistency;
urination and sexual intercourse cause pain;
in the genital area there is itching, burning.

Doctors believe that the disease does not lead to serious consequences. However, it still requires proper treatment.

Mycoplasmosis

Sometimes mycoplasmosis makes itself felt with clear discharge or painful discomfort during intimate contact or urination. Pathology is quite dangerous for its complications.

It can lead to:

diseases of the appendages, vagina, uterus, urethra;
violation of the development of the placenta, miscarriage, polyhydramnios;
infertility.

Diagnosis of diseases

Of course, you must understand that the pathologies listed above are not limited (if we consider hidden infections) to the list.

Analyzes in women and men allow you to diagnose a variety of types of diseases. And as you can see, there are quite a few of them.

So, for the diagnosis of latent infections, the following tests are prescribed:

General smear. A scraping taken from the genital organs is being studied at the cellular level.
Enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). This is a study that involves the identification of an immunological reaction to some pathogens that are in the biological material taken from the patient. The analysis has a high level of sensitivity. But in the course of the study, it is not the pathogen itself that is detected, but the reaction to it.
Bacteriological It shows the microflora and allows you to determine the sensitivity of this type of infection to antibacterial drugs. In a favorable environment, the infection develops rapidly. After a few days, a systemic culture is formed. It is in this form that its sensitivity to drugs can be determined.
Polymer chain reaction (PRC). This analysis determines the DNA and RNA of the pathogen itself. For this, various biological materials are studied. The analysis gives a description of the pathogen that provoked the development of a latent infection, determines the duration of the disease and gives a quantitative assessment of the disease.
Immunofluorescence reaction (RIF). During this study, the biological material is exposed to various staining reagents. This allows a more detailed study of the infection at the cellular level.

The cost of analyzes

The fair half is concerned about a lot of questions when it comes to hidden infections in women: a list, the cost of tests, how to prepare for them and where to take them.

Before considering answers to exciting topics, it is important to remember the following. Every woman, in order to eliminate the risk of developing latent infections, should take a bacterial smear annually. You can conduct a study in any clinic specializing in this area.

Now let's look at how much tests for latent infections in women cost.

List of studies that are most often offered in clinics:

Urogenital smear - on average costs 300 rubles.
Cytological examination - about 700 rubles.
Diagnosis for the presence of Papillomavirus - will cost 700 rubles.
Histological examination - costs 1590 rubles.

Preparation for testing

In order for the diagnosis to be carried out as accurately as possible, a woman is recommended to properly prepare for it.

To do this, you must follow a number of important rules:

The bacterial material should be taken on the 5th or 6th day from the start of the menstrual cycle.
2 weeks before the study, you should stop taking the following medications: antibiotics, antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs.
A few days before the test, it is recommended to refrain from sexual intercourse.
24 hours before the diagnosis, local contraceptives, intimate hygiene products, antiseptics should not be used. In addition, douching is not recommended during this period.

Studies for latent infections are assigned to all couples who plan to give birth to a baby. Such a diagnosis is especially important for those men and women who have not been able to have an heir for a long time. After all, running infections very often lead to infertility. Therefore, do not forget about the need for annual testing.