This document discusses vaginal swabs and vaginal discharge. It notes that physiological vaginal discharge is usually white and increases during ovulation, pregnancy, and with oral contraceptive use. Pathological vaginal discharge can be caused by conditions like candidal infection, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, cervical ectropion, and various cancers. The document outlines the procedures for collecting vaginal, endocervical, and rectal swabs, including pre-procedure preparation, the collection process, and post-procedure steps.

1. Vaginal swabs

2.  Result mainly from cervical secretion in
response to hormonal levels during the
menstrual cycle there is increased mucous
production from the cervix at the time of
ovulation .
 Physiological discharge usually white
 Physiological discharge increase during
pregnancy and oral contraceptive users.
CAUSES OF PHYSIOLOGICAL
VAGINAL DISCHARGE

3. Causes of pathological vaginal
discharge
1. Candidal infection
2. Bacterial vaginosis
3. Trichomonas
4. N. gonorrhea
5. Chlamydia
6. Cervical ectropin
7. Endometrial cancer
8. Cervical cancer
9. Vaginal cancer
10. Foreign body, IUD, vaginal ring

4.  Vulvar itching
 White cheesy vaginal discharge that
adheres to vaginal wall
 Superficial dyspareunia and dysuria.
 Vulval oedema, vulval excoriation,
redness and erythema.
 Normal vaginal pH.
The main sign and symptoms

5. PRE-PROCEDURE:
 Consultation (medical history, explain
procedure & counsel)
 Gain consent & offer a chaperone.
 Prepare: Empty bladder, provide privacy,
dorsal position, position light, attend
hand hygiene & apply gloves / eye
protection

6. PROCEDURE
 Inspect the labia, external meatus &
vulva; Insert speculum
 High Vaginal Swab(HVS): Swab, make
smear on glass slide & place in charcoal
medium.
 Endo Cervical Swab(ECS): Pap smear
first (if required), then clean mucous
from cervix & take ECS PCR swab &
place in tube. If pus/ inflammation of
cervix, take ECS for culture, smear on
glass slide & place in charcoal medium

7. Low Vaginal Swab & Rectal swab(LVS):
May be self-obtained by the woman if
asymptomatic.
 LVS: Insert swab 1-2 cm into vagina & place
into transport tube (use charcoal medium
tube for culture & a separate thin plastic/
wire shaft swab if PCR).
 Rectal: Around/inside rectum just past
external sphincter & place into charcoal
tube.

9. POST PROCEDURE
 Provide privacy for redressing.
 Offer tissues as required.
 Document: Procedure, consent, persons
attending examination (e.g. chaperone,
family), swab details (swab site, date,
time, patient details- but sticker or hand
write on glass slides)
 Send specimens to pathology

10. Thank you for attention