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Body
Vaginal infections
There are other common infections that you can get that are not always passed by sexual contact, such as yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and bacterial vaginosis.
Bacterial vaginosis. There are different kinds of bacteria that normally live in your vagina without causing any problems. You can get bacterial vaginosis when too much of a certain kind of bacteria grows. Bacterial vaginosis causes a bad smell that seems “fishy,” more discharge (fluid) from your vagina than you normally have, and discharge that is gray-white and seems “milky.”
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). A UTI is an infection that happens in the bladder or tube leading to the bladder (urinary tract). Normally, your body removes all the bacteria from your urinary tract on its own. But sometimes it can't remove all the bacteria. If this happens, you can get a urinary tract infection. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include burning when you urinate, feeling like you have to urinate all the time, back or stomach pain, cloudy or dark urine, fever, and chills. UTIs can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
Bacterial vaginosis. There are different kinds of bacteria that normally live in your vagina without causing any problems. You can get bacterial vaginosis when too much of a certain kind of bacteria grows. Bacterial vaginosis causes a bad smell that seems “fishy,” more discharge (fluid) from your vagina than you normally have, and discharge that is gray-white and seems “milky.”
Talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent or a school nurse, if you have:
- itching or burning around your vagina
- pain when you urinate
- discharge that is thick and looks like cottage cheese, or is grayish or milky
- discharge that has a strong “fishy” odor
- pain or any discharge that you feel is unusual
Read about what vaginal discharge should be like.
The best way to prevent these infections is good hygiene. You should shower or bathe and change your underwear every day. If you think you have abnormal discharge or are in pain, talk with an adult you trust. They have been through puberty. Together, you can decide if you should see a school nurse or a doctor about your symptoms.
Content last updated June 18, 2008
