Patient's question:
Since having sex with my boyfriend, I've noticed an increase in my vaginal discharge, itching outside my vagina, and painful urination. I went to a pharmacy to buy some cleaning liquid to take, but it always comes back repeatedly. My friend said it might be caused by a fungal vaginal infection, but I'm not very brave to go to the hospital for a thorough check-up because I'm not divorced yet and get this disease.Doctor's answer:
Based on typical clinical manifestations and visual examination of vaginal discharge, candidiasis can usually be diagnosed without difficulty. However, for atypical cases, to confirm the diagnosis, a vaginal discharge test must be performed for suspected cases of candidiasis or to assess treatment effectiveness. Vaginal discharge can be directly collected and placed on a slide, with a small drop of isotonic sodium chloride solution or 10%–20% potassium hydroxide solution added. A coverslip is then placed over it, and the sample is slightly heated for microscopic examination. Red blood cells, white blood cells, and epithelial cells dissolve immediately, while the candidiasis manifests as linear fibers or mycelia, with microspores or conidia attached.