Bacterial vaginosis, also known as nonspecific vaginitis or gardnerella vaginitis, is a type of vaginal infection.
Vaginal infections are very common and affect most women at some point in their lives.
While vaginal secretions are normally present in healthy women, it is not normal to have an itchy, red, or irritated vulva or vaginal discharge with an odor that is different from healthy secretions. The presence of these symptoms, or an overgrowth of bacteria probably normally in the vagina, may be signs of bacterial vaginosis. To help alleviate these symptoms, it is important to see your women's health clinician. During a gynecological exam, a sample of discharge will be taken from the vagina and will be examined under a microscope by your clinician. Vaginal infections can be caused by normal microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract and may be spread to the vulva and vagina.