Gardnerella is a bacteria that infects the genital tract of women and causes a change in the bacterial balance, or rather, imbalance. This imbalance can cause a condition known as bacterial vaginosis (BV). Gardneralla vaginallis can be diagnosed by testing for the condition using either a urine or swab sample.

Clinical Manifestations:

 

Gardnerella can present differently in men and women, with one or more of the following symptoms: 

• White or grayish discharge.
• Redness in the foreskin, glans or urethra.
• Small blisters on the vagina.
• Pain when peeing.
• Pain during sex.
• Yellowish discharge from the urethra.

Risk Factors

•  Coexisting other infections like HIV, Chlamydia trachomatis, & Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• Recent unprotected vaginal intercourse.
• Vaginal douching.
• Premature rupture of membranes and preterm labour.

 

Complications

If left untreated, the infection can make you more susceptible to contracting other STIs including HIV, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. In women, Gardnerella can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and can also cause some complications in pregnancy, including premature labour and delivery.

 

Important information

• Sample type: Urine 
• Kits will be posted to you containing instruction
• Take the test according to the instruction
• Post the kits back to us using our pre-paid envelope
• Your sample will be received by our laboratory team depending on the day and time of postage.
• If you purchase your test on Monday – Friday by 12.00 noon, you will receive your test kits the following day. However, any test purchased after 12.00 noon will be dispatched the day after we receive your order. 
• Please note that any samples sent to us on Saturday will be received by our laboratory team on Monday. 
• Our turnaround time is 2 working days upon receipt of your samples.
• If you drop your samples directly to our laboratory, your result will be ready within 22-48 hours upon receipt.