Hidden infections appear. What are the dangers of hidden infections? Signs and diagnosis of latent sexually transmitted infections in women

Most often, the entry gates for microbes that form the primary foci of latent diseases in the body are the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, digestive and urogenital tracts.

Microorganisms that inhabit the external environment in large quantities can be pathogenic, opportunistic or non-pathogenic (saprophytes that are part of the normal human microflora). For the latter, infection does not play a special role, because the leading factor in the development of the disease is the weakness of the immune system. An inadequate immune response in general or a decrease in the functioning of local defenses can cause the formation of an infectious process, which can occur in two ways:

• An obvious infectious disease with an incubation period, a clinical picture corresponding to the pathogen and a certain result (recovery, chronicity, recovery with consequences or progression of the process).
• Asymptomatic carriage. Opportunistic flora does not always give clear manifestations of the presence of the pathogen in the body, the incubation period may be absent, the period of time from infection to the appearance of signs of infection may be indefinitely long, the local inflammatory focus may go unnoticed and the person will be unaware of the presence of chronic latent infection. infections. Many problems in this regard are created by saprophytes, for example, fungi, which constantly live on the intestinal mucosa, but, once in another environment (urogenital tract), with weak immunity, begin to actively multiply. A healthy immune system usually does not allow this, that is, how long the infectious agent lingers in the new host’s body depends on the type of microorganism and the state of the person’s immunity.

Thus, the immune system plays a major role at all levels and stages of any infectious process, where local factors play an important role in defense reactions. However, the influence of other systems (nervous, endocrine) should not be unduly belittled.

When local immunity fails

Sex hormones and thyroid hormones activate the immune system, resulting in rapid restoration of damaged tissue and recovery. On the contrary, if there is something wrong with the hormones, the mucous membrane does not return to normal as quickly and the process is delayed. The quality of local immunity depends on the state of the epithelium, which is determined by hormonal levels. Recent experimental data indicate that epithelial cells not only become a barrier between the infectious agent and the human body, but also participate in immunological reactions, that is, they are immunocompetent cells, since they carry receptors for certain cytokines on their surface. In addition, epithelial cells leave the imprint of past events (infections, treatment methods, types of antibiotics, etc.), so when determining the origin of the inflammatory process, details such as chlamydia, trichomonas, and in other cases - gonococci often come to light.

Hidden infections find favorable conditions for their habitat in the female genital organs, which is greatly facilitated by hormonal fluctuations, which are more pronounced in women than in men. Fungi, chlamydia, myco- and ureaplasmas that fall on fertile soil lead to the development of vaginosis (an analogue of intestinal dysbiosis) and vulvovaginitis. The woman continues to consider herself healthy, since there are no obvious deviations during a traditional examination, and the nature of the discharge and some discomfort can be mistaken for the individual characteristics of the body.

There is a pathogen, there is no disease

Basically, the list of latent infections consists of diseases caused by microorganisms that trigger the process under a certain set of circumstances, therefore in most cases they are classified as latent sexually transmitted infections:

That's why they are hidden, so that there are no symptoms

Many of the listed diseases constitute a group of chronic latent infections that can last for many years and not cause much concern to a person. Symptoms of latent infections, as a rule, are absent, so carriers live and do not suspect that they are sources of infection for other people. And as long as their own immunity regulates an adequate response, they themselves remain healthy, however, weakening of the immune system for various reasons can lead to the development of an inflammatory process (onset in men infected with chlamydia, but confident that everything is fine in their body).

In some cases, there is a hidden leak. Of course, it is difficult for a man not to notice this, but for women this is quite possible. If left unattended, the acute period becomes chronic, the process subsides, and Neisser's diplococci remain. They can “live” in the genital tract for quite a long time until a woman develops a complication (ovarian abscess, peritonitis, sepsis) or a new sexual partner comes to investigate, and a few days after sexual contact, symptoms of a completely hidden infection appear.

Hidden infections in children can appear before, during or after birth. This can be chlamydia, urea and mycoplasma, herpes infection, hepatitis, HPV. As a rule, children who received the pathogen from birth have weak immunity and are registered as often and for a long time ill. The respiratory system is mainly affected if the infection is bacterial in nature.

Diagnostics – tests for hidden infections

Tests for hidden infections cannot be limited to simple ones (flora, cytology). If microorganisms such as trichomonas, candida, gonococci (and even then not always) can still be seen when checking a regular drug, then chlamydia, HPV, herpes and others are not visible at all in a flora smear, and a cytological smear can only indirectly indicate the presence of infection by reaction epithelium. For diagnosis, there is a list of tests for hidden infections, which allows you to identify certain pathogens to the maximum extent:

Before the advent of such methods as ELISA, PCR, RIF, the diagnosis of latent infections was carried out mainly using bacterial culture and, although this analysis has not lost its relevance, the listed methods have become increasingly used due to their availability (a bacteriological laboratory must meet special requirements that not every medical institution can perform).

Pregnant women, as a rule, undergo such tests for free. The gynecologist observing the expectant mother determines the timing and list of pathogens of interest to him (many of them are included in the list of TORCH infections). They usually do not take money from patients undergoing examination in a hospital or undergoing outpatient treatment, which requires additional diagnostic methods.

On personal initiative, any person has the right to be tested for hidden infections. In skin and venereal disease clinics, infectious diseases hospitals, and medical centers, there are paid laboratories that carry out their diagnosis. The cost of research depends on the list of pathogens, search methods, region and status of the medical institution, so the price in Moscow and, say, in the Bryansk region will vary.

Features of treatment

Called in one word “infection,” these processes have much in common in treatment, for example, therapy is almost always used aimed at restoring immunity (local or general), the suffering of which is obvious in all cases.

However The approach to each pathogen is still somewhat individual:

Situations are possible when one person has hidden infections of various classes (viruses, bacteria, fungi). The doctor decides when and how to combine treatment, because the immune system is unlikely to tolerate an ignorant attitude towards oneself.

Video: hidden infections - infection and treatment, doctor’s opinion

In modern life, we are increasingly faced with various diseases. The problems of combating infectious diseases have acquired particular significance in medicine. They can cause various pathological changes in the body and provoke the spread of infection throughout the body. They are quite difficult to diagnose and treat, quickly develop resistance to drugs, and multiply rapidly. But the main danger is that they often become the cause of mass epidemics, transmitted from person to person. Despite the rapid development of medicine and diagnostics, problems have not decreased. Today, hidden infections that are asymptomatic pose a great danger. A person often does not even suspect that he has a disease, however, it progresses. In addition, a person is a carrier and becomes a source of infection, infecting other people. Fortunately, today it is possible to detect such diseases and take timely measures. An analysis for hidden infections will help with this.

Hidden infections mean a whole range of diseases that are transmitted primarily through sexual contact and occur covertly and unnoticed. They may not bother you for a long time.

Is it necessary to do tests for hidden infections?

They must be taken periodically, since it makes it possible to detect those infections that develop in the body asymptomatically. They make it possible to identify such diseases in the early stages and prevent their further development. Despite the fact that the disease does not bother a person, it still develops in the body and causes corresponding pathological damage at various levels: cellular, tissue, organ. Someday the infection will still manifest itself. Most often it manifests itself when serious changes have already occurred in the body, often irreversible. At such a late stage, the disease is often quite difficult to treat, and sometimes cannot be treated at all. Treatment can only be effective in the early period of detection of the disease, since the pathologies that develop as a result of an infectious lesion are irreversible.

This type of infection always reduces immunity and can lead to serious complications. Most latent infections are sexually transmitted, affecting the reproductive organs and leading to infertility. Many of them are capable of destroying the genetic information of germ cells, which entails various genetic pathologies and anomalies during the subsequent birth of a child.

In addition, infections are dangerous because they can be transmitted to a child and lead to intrauterine infection. It doesn’t matter who is sick: the mother or the father. Some infections can provoke the development of cancerous tumors and immunodeficiency states. Against the background of infection, secondary pathologies develop: severe kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure.

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Indications for use

Tests are carried out both as prescribed by the doctor and on the patient’s own initiative. The reason for taking the test should be unprotected sexual contact with a stranger, frequent and promiscuous sexual intercourse.

A test is required before pregnancy. For any pathological symptoms, such as pain in the abdomen, burning and discomfort in the genital area, discharge, pungent odor. At the slightest suspicion of a pathology or disorder, you need to get tested, as well as in case of sudden weight loss and loss of appetite. Many concomitant diseases give the doctor reason to suspect the presence of hidden infections. For example, frequent colds can be caused by hidden herpes.

Preparation

To get reliable and most accurate results for hidden infections, you need to prepare for them. Firstly, it is imperative to stop taking immunomodulators, antibacterial, antiviral and other antibiotic agents, and vitamins. Do not use antiseptics, even local ones. All these substances can significantly affect the results, distorting them. For example, antibacterial drugs can temporarily reduce the number of microorganisms, or convert them into an inactive form, in which they do not develop.

During stimulation of the immune system, there is also a temporary deactivation and reduction in the activity of any infection, and false-positive results are also possible. Such results indicate the presence of infection in the body, when in fact there is none. This is explained by the fact that the number of immune complexes that can mistakenly react with the indicator that determines the presence of infection increases sharply. The amount of certain substances may increase sharply, which often indicate infection and the doctor misinterprets the result.

Before taking the test, refrain from sexual intercourse for 2-3 days, which will allow you to study the patient’s natural microflora without introducing transient (temporary) flora. You should also not douche, use local contraceptives, anesthetics, or personal hygiene products 24 hours before the procedure. This will allow us to study the microflora in its natural state, without introducing foreign microflora and destroying the existing one. It is best for women to monitor their menstrual cycle and get tested on the 5-6th day of the new cycle. This will give the most accurate results, since during this period all infections become more active due to a slight decrease in immunity.

Unlike conventional tests, when alcohol and non-dietary foods are excluded, here everything is quite the opposite: doctors recommend drinking alcoholic beverages and eating unhealthy foods on the eve of the test: fatty, spicy, sauces, marinades, spices. This trick makes it easier to detect, which under normal conditions is quite well camouflaged. Immunity decreases and the infection becomes more active, making it easier to detect. For the same reason, if you have a cold, this is the ideal time to undergo such an analysis.

Rules for getting tested for hidden infections

The basic rule is that you need to prepare for it in advance, about 3-5 weeks in advance. It is necessary to stop taking any medications, especially those that affect the state of the immune system, increase the body's resistance, and have a general strengthening effect. You should not take medications that reduce inflammation or normalize microflora. You should also not take sorbents and antitoxic drugs.

For 2 days you cannot swim, use local medications, or have sexual intercourse. It is better to take the analysis in a weakened state: under stress, hypothermia, overwork, or mild malaise. This will allow the infection to fully manifest itself and become active.

What hidden infections are tested for?

Analysis for hidden infections in women

Usually blood and a smear are taken. Women need to undergo regular examinations, since infection can cause the development of many diseases that subsequently lead to infertility. Below is a brief description of the main female hidden infections.

Mycoplasmosis is caused by microplasmas. It is a microorganism that occupies an intermediate position between viruses, fungi and bacteria. It is transmitted sexually, the first signs of the disease usually appear after 1.5-2 months. For men, such microorganisms are either harmless or can cause mild inflammation. In women, they cause numerous pathologies, which manifest themselves especially intensively during pregnancy. Most often, they become the cause of miscarriages and spontaneous abortions, and stillbirths.

Analysis for hidden infections during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a mandatory test is taken for TORCH - infections, which includes a set of major diseases that affect the fetus itself. This name encodes: toxoplasmosis, HIV, chickenpox, hepatitis, syphilis, chlamydia, gonococcal infection, rubella, cytomegalovirus infection. It is rented out for free.

Analysis for hidden infections in men

The particular danger of latent infections in men is that they do not appear for a long time. The incubation period in this case is much longer than in women. Sometimes they appear only years or even decades later, causing hidden inflammation and other serious disorders. Typically, diseases manifest themselves after a long incubation period with such dangerous diseases as prostatitis, prostate adenoma, various tumors, and infertility. There are cases where the ability to fertilize is preserved, but the genetic information in them is still significantly affected. The fertilized fetus develops with genetic abnormalities. In addition, during sexual contact, both the expectant mother and the child become infected at the same time.

It is very important to take timely measures to identify the disease in the early stages, so you need to undergo preventive examinations with a urologist. You need to prepare for the tests in advance. Avoid taking any medications for about a month. You can urinate only a few hours before the test. For 3 days you cannot swim, use anesthetics and antiseptics, or have sexual intercourse.

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Analysis for hidden infections in children

Children often get sick due to hidden infections. The test should be taken if the child often suffers from colds, has reduced immunity, or if the function of the respiratory system is impaired. The test should also be performed if the child has been diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis.

The main clinically significant infections for a child: measles, rubella, whooping cough, scarlet fever, meningococcal infection, hepatitis, acute intestinal infections. The analysis is prescribed by the pediatrician after a preliminary examination.

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Test methods for latent infection

There are many methods that can be used to test for hidden infections. Conventionally, all methods can be divided into three large groups: bacteriological, immunological, molecular genetic.

To conduct a bacteriological examination, a smear or scraping is usually taken. Most often, the research material is genital secretions, various secretions, and sperm. A scraping is taken from the mucous membranes of the genitals. First, a preliminary microscopic examination is carried out, which makes it possible to detect signs in the smear that could indirectly indicate the presence of infection. Most often, such signs are protein, mucus, and fiber. Sometimes in a microscope you can see the microorganism itself, which is the causative agent of the disease. Based on his appearance, one can roughly guess which group he is a representative of.

Then the resulting material is sown on a nutrient medium. First, sowing is done on a regular nutrient medium and incubated for several days under thermostatic conditions. Then one or more colonies are isolated and immunological studies are carried out on them, which make it possible to roughly identify the microorganism. Then the grown colonies are reseeded on selective nutrient media and on shoals for further biochemical analyses. Incubate in a thermostat for a certain time, depending on the type and growth rate of the microorganism.

Biochemical studies and microscopy are carried out, which makes it possible to identify the organism by determining its species and genus. The degree of contamination, that is, the concentration of microorganisms, is also determined. The advantage of this method is that you can immediately select the drug that will be most effective against a given microorganism and its exact dosage. Accordingly, you can choose a treatment that will be as effective and safe as possible.

Immunological methods include a wide range of techniques. The principle of the method in most of them is to identify specific antigen-antibody complexes that are formed as a result of the interaction between antigen and antibody. The antigen is a microorganism, or the genes, proteins, and metabolic products that it produces. The point is that they are foreign to the body.

The immune system is immediately activated and begins to produce antibodies against them - proteins aimed at destroying and eliminating the foreign agent. Antibodies attack antigens, stick to them, forming a complex immune complex, which is detected during the reaction.

The test requires blood. Serum is separated from the blood using centrifugation. Then the serum is poured into test tubes and the antigen is added to it. Incubate for several hours. As a result of the reaction, complexes are formed that precipitate. The turbidity of the solution determines the concentration of the antigen in the blood.

Precipitated antigen-antibody complexes are formed only when there is an antigen (infection) in the blood. In the absence of infection, complexes do not form. The tubes are compared with the international standard for turbidity and the amount of microorganisms in the blood is judged by the degree of turbidity. Quantitative indicators can be more accurately determined using a spectrophotometer. The liquid is poured into special cuvettes and placed in the apparatus. Then rays of light are passed through. Based on the refractive index of light in a liquid, the device calculates extinction indices. Based on these data, recalculation is carried out in a special computer program. The result is obtained in the form of a concentration of infectious cells. A calibration graph is also constructed, which clearly shows all the data.

There is a similar method in which not antigens are detected, but antibodies. The technique is no different, except that antigens are added to the solution instead of antibodies. A similar complex formation reaction occurs if antibodies to this infection are present in the body. But this method is less accurate because the risk of false positive results increases. The fact is that antibodies can be formed to another infection, and even during normal inflammation. Despite the high specificity, the reaction may occur in error.

Of interest is the immunofluorescent method (RIF), in which the resulting biological material is stained with a special fluorescent dye. Samples are examined under a fluorescence microscope. At the same time, the cells of infectious agents and their metabolic products acquire a glow. The sensitivity of the method is 70%. Most often used to study syphilis.

The radioisotope method makes it possible to identify similar complexes in a stream of radioactive radiation.

Molecular genetic methods are based on identifying the genome of a microorganism or the microorganism itself in the sample being studied. This group includes the method of genome sequencing, PCR, and other methods.

General analysis for hidden infections

In general terms, an idea of ​​the processes that occur in the body can be obtained from a general blood test. He reveals in detail the blood formula, after reading which one can detect signs indicating an inflammatory or infectious process and its severity. For example, the presence of infection may be indicated by an increased ESR, increased levels of leukocytes and neutrophils. The leukocyte formula shifts to the left. Of course, such an analysis cannot show which specific microorganism caused such changes. Moreover, these indicators do not always indicate the presence of infection. Similar indicators can be observed for colds, inflammatory diseases, during the recovery period, and in the presence of tumors. But this gives the doctor the opportunity to suspect abnormalities and conduct a detailed study to discover the causes.

Blood test for hidden infections

Blood tests are carried out primarily using immunological methods, which detect antigen-antibody complexes. The method is highly specific and makes it possible to detect the presence of infection in the early stages. This test is taken if an infection is suspected, if a person is often sick and does not recover for a long time, during pregnancy. Also, this test should be taken for prevention in order to timely detect pathology, in case of questionable sexual contacts, in order to exclude the possibility of infection, in the event of any disease or discomfort in the genital area.

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Urine analysis for hidden infections

A urine test can detect infection of the genital tract and urinary organs. Normally, urine is a sterile liquid. The detection of microorganisms in it indicates the development of an infectious process. The study is carried out using the bacteriological method. The most commonly used method is Goleman culture. It makes it possible to isolate the pathogen, carry out its complete identification, and determine its concentration. If necessary, you can select an effective drug and determine its dosage.

PCR analysis for hidden infections

PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, is a molecular genetic research method, the essence of which is to detect DNA or RNA of a microorganism in the test sample. You can also determine its quantity. The method is highly specific, accuracy reaches 100%.

For detection, the material under study is placed in a reactor, the necessary enzymes are added, which bind DNA and build a copy of it. The method is based on genome replication. Any type of infection can be identified, including hidden ones.

There are many ways to protect your sex life from infectious diseases. However, despite precautions, you can become infected with the virus through sexual intercourse. Hidden infections in women are considered the most dangerous.

Due to the fact that sexually transmitted infections do not have pronounced symptoms, they are called hidden. They can only be identified after a complete medical examination or complications arising due to hidden infections.

Cases of sexually transmitted infections or STDs through sexual intercourse are common. The incubation period is 5–10 days, sometimes it can last up to 12 months. In addition, infectious diseases can be transmitted during pregnancy; the infection passes from the mother to the child.

Hidden infections in women can be identified faster if you pay attention to the symptoms:

1. itching and rash on the genitals;
2. discharge of an unusual color;
3. painful urination;
4. pain during sexual intercourse.

If a woman notices one of these symptoms, she must immediately undergo a full medical examination for the presence of viruses in the body.
However, signs may not appear quickly enough.

Delayed signs appear with complications:

1. infertility;
2. disrupted menstrual cycle;
3. pain in the pelvic area.

Each infection has its own symptoms and they can cause serious harm to the body. In addition to the urinary system, other organs may be affected.

Hidden infections that occur in women, list:

The most well-known pathologies are:

1. herpes;
2. syphilis;
3. gonorrhea.

Less common infections, but also posing a serious danger to a woman’s body:

1. ureaplasmosis;
2. mycoplasmosis;
3. papilloma virus;
4. gardnerellosis;
5. chlamydia;
6. herpes.

The disease can be caused by viruses; they can also be present in a healthy body. It is impossible to completely cure the virus.
Relapse may occur due to decreased immunity.

Herpes is accompanied by a red rash; it appears both on the skin and on the mucous membranes in the form of painful blisters and redness. In addition, itching and pain appear in the genitals, which intensify over time.

The temperature rises and strong discharge appears. Over time, the blisters begin to burst, and in their place scabs form, causing severe pain.

If you do not immediately seek medical help, complications may appear:

• damage to the nervous system;
• brain damage;
• damage to the eyes and skin;
• encephalitis.

During relapses, herpes affects:

• lip border;
• eyelids;
• cheeks;
• gums.

It is impossible to completely cure herpes; there is always the possibility of relapses. For such cases, the attending physician prescribes special medications that stop the development of the infection.

papilloma virus

Viruses of this family can cause cervical cancer, warts and papillomas. Papilloma is a latent and long-lasting virus.
It is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse and is present in 70% of the population.

Infection with the virus is most common in women.

The appearance of papilloma in the anal area and rectal mucosa is more common. The virus is very small, so using condoms during sex does not prevent infection.

Infection also occurs during childbirth or is transmitted through household contact.

In an infected cell, the virus can be benign or malignant; its incubation period ranges from 2 months to several years. Although in 90% of cases the body is able to get rid of the virus on its own within 6–12 months.

But if the human body is under the influence of weakening factors:

1. weakened immune system;
2. infection;
3. somatic diseases or other diseases that weaken the body.

If medical care is not provided in a timely manner, the virus causes complications:

• cervical cancer;
• breast cancer.

Chlamydia

The virus has a strong impact on the human reproductive system, therefore it is the most dangerous. Chlamydia develops inside a person without visible symptoms. This can make treating the virus more difficult.

The first signs that may appear:

• menstrual irregularities;
• pain in the lower abdomen;
• frequent urge to go to the toilet;
• pain during urination.

The infection affects:

1. rectum;
2. cervix;
3. peritoneum;
4. ovaries;
5. fallopian tubes.

Syphilis

The first symptoms of the virus appear a few weeks after infection. The virus can be acquired or congenital.

Virus infection occurs:

1. through sexual intercourse;
2. through Blood;
3. in utero;
4. through mother's milk;

Through common objects. A towel or utensils, so the virus is transmitted when the infected person has open sores.

Gonorrhea

The virus is most often transmitted through sexual contact, and the type of sexual contact does not matter. In rare cases, you can become infected through the personal items of a virus carrier, poor personal hygiene, or during childbirth. The incubation period lasts from 3 days to 3 weeks.

Symptoms:

1. yellow or white discharge with an unpleasant odor;
2. pain during urination;
3. urine is released in small portions.

Consequences:

• inflammation of the mucous and muscular wall of the cervix;
• inflammation of the large Bartholin gland;
• inflammation of the uterus.

Gardnerellosis

The appearance of the virus is provoked by the bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis; it is present in the microflora of the vagina. When immunity decreases or other complications appear that cause the death of milk bacteria, their decomposition begins.

Signs of virus development:

1. during intimacy, burning and itching appears;
2. Grayish discharge appears. They may have a foamy consistency.

Due to the development of the virus, complications arise:

1. the vagina becomes inflamed
2. labor may begin prematurely or a miscarriage may occur;
3. the uterus becomes inflamed.

Mycoplasmosis

Infection mainly occurs through sexual intercourse and in rare cases is transmitted through household contact. The virus is transmitted to 25% of newborn girls. Therefore, it would be better if a girl or woman who is planning a pregnancy undergoes a course of treatment prescribed by a doctor.

There are many symptoms of mycoplasmosis, they appear depending on which organ was affected by the virus:

• throat;
• bronchi;
• lungs;
• vagina;
• cervix;
• urethra.

Symptoms:

• rhinitis - affects the respiratory tract;
• intoxication;
• fever or chills;
• pneumonia;
• burning and redness in the urethra;
• pain in the lower back and abdomen;
• bleeding;
• insomnia;
• weakness;
• infertility;
• cystitis;
• pain during intercourse.

Diagnosis of infectious diseases

To detect the presence of viral diseases, the polymerase chain reaction method is used. This method allows you to find the pathogen among the affected cells and begin to treat the disease.

If itching, burning or pain occurs in the genital area, you should contact a medical facility as soon as possible and conduct a full examination of the body. In addition, couples planning to have a child must undergo polymerase diagnostics.

Preventing infections

The female body is more susceptible to viral diseases than the male body.

Therefore, in order not to get infected, you must follow certain rules:

1. will be checked by a gynecologist every year;
2. maintain personal hygiene;
3. during sexual intercourse you need to use protective equipment;
4. if a virus is detected, treatment must be started immediately;
5. monitor the state of the immune system.

Women should be attentive to their health and, if they have diseases, begin treatment as soon as possible. Otherwise, infections may lead to irreversible

Infectious pathologies do not always occur with pronounced symptoms. There is a whole group of diseases that do not make themselves felt for a long time. They are called “hidden infections”. Most often this is Despite their asymptomatic nature, they are quite dangerous. Therefore, you should be aware of their existence. To do this, let's look at the list of hidden infections in women. It is also important to understand what tests will help identify these diseases.

Characteristics of pathologies

Diseases included in the list of hidden infections in women are ailments that are contracted during sexual intercourse. Sometimes such pathologies can be transmitted through everyday contact or from mother to baby (vertical).

Diseases are called hidden because such pathologies are difficult to diagnose. They have a small list of manifestations. Most often they are completely asymptomatic. As a rule, pronounced manifestations characterize the stage of the complication.

These infections are almost impossible to diagnose with routine tests, such as bacterial culture or smear. To identify them, special medical studies are needed. Below we will look at what and why you need to test for hidden infections.

The course of the disease can be aggravated by various factors:

• unfavorable environmental conditions;
• unhealthy diet;
• reduced immunity;
• stress.

List of hidden infections in women

The list of STDs contains 31 pathogens:

The most well-known pathologies are herpes, syphilis, and gonorrhea. Lesser-known diseases include: ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, human papillomavirus, gardnerellosis, chlamydia.

So, the main list of hidden infections:

• gardnerella;
• ureaplasma;
• herpes viruses;
• chlamydia;
• cytomegalovirus (CMV);
• candida fungi;
• human, urogenital mycoplasmas.

General symptoms

Most pathologies do not manifest themselves at all in the early stages. Therefore, patients seek medical help only during progression or exacerbation of the disease.

It is very important to suspect the development of the disease in a timely manner. To do this, you must know what they are and their symptoms.

The primary signs of the development of pathology are:

1. A feeling of itching and burning appears in the genital area.
2. During or after an intimate relationship, there is a feeling of discomfort, sometimes even pain.
3. There is a discharge that has an uncharacteristic color, specific consistency and unpleasant odor.
4. A rash may appear on the genitals.
5. The process of urination is accompanied by discomfort and pain. There is a frequent urge to go to the toilet.

If you have at least one of these symptoms, you must definitely consult a doctor and undergo the prescribed examination.

Delayed, more complex manifestations include the following symptoms:

1. The menstrual cycle is disrupted.
2. A woman cannot bear a child.
3. Infertility.
4. Uncomfortable and painful sensations appear in the pelvis.

It should be understood that each latent infection has a specific set of symptoms and characteristics of its course. In addition, they can lead to a wide variety of serious complications, affecting not only the genitourinary system, but also many other organs.

Herpes virus

This is a rather unpleasant pathology from which it is impossible to completely recover. It is provoked by various types of viruses found in the body of all people, even completely healthy ones. In the case of certain factors, for example, a sharp decrease in immunity, the pathology begins to develop rapidly.

Symptoms of latent infections in women and men are quite similar.

The following signs indicate herpes:

• pain, itching in the genital area;
• rashes on the skin and mucous membranes (we are talking about a blistering rash);
• presence of mucous discharge;
• body temperature may increase;
• After the bubbles burst, scabs form, causing severe pain.

The disease can lead to quite unpleasant complications:

• meningitis;
• conjunctivitis;
• keratitis;
• encephalitis;
• damage to the central nervous system.

Human papillomavirus

This infection leads to the appearance of various formations on the skin and mucous membranes: warts, condylomas. The pathology is characterized by a long course without pronounced symptoms. Exacerbation of the disease occurs against the background of decreased immunity.

Most often, HPV is detected during examinations during pregnancy or during studies to detect cancer.

A woman may suspect the development of the disease based on the following signs:

• pointed ones appear on the lips, in the mouth, on the genitals;
• cervical erosion is diagnosed.

If not treated promptly, HPV can lead to various types of malignancies.

Candidiasis (thrush)

Continuing to consider the list of hidden infections in women, we should dwell on this disease. This is a fairly common pathology.

The disease is caused by yeast-like fungi belonging to the genus Candida. They, in small quantities, are always found in the vagina. When this fungus multiplies, a woman develops

It is characterized by the following symptoms:

• white discharge with a cheesy consistency;
• urination and sexual intercourse cause pain;
• Itching and burning appear in the genital area.

Doctors believe that the disease does not lead to serious consequences. However, it still requires proper treatment.

Mycoplasmosis

Sometimes mycoplasmosis makes itself felt through clear discharge or painful discomfort during intimate contact or urination. The pathology is quite dangerous due to its complications.

It can lead to:

• diseases of the appendages, vagina, uterus, urethra;
• impaired development of the placenta, miscarriage, polyhydramnios;
• infertility.

Diagnosis of diseases

Of course, you must understand that the list is not limited to the pathologies listed above (if we consider hidden infections).

Tests in women and men make it possible to diagnose a wide variety of diseases. And, as you have already seen, there are a lot of them.

So, to diagnose hidden infections, the following tests are prescribed:

1. General smear. A scraping taken from the genital organs is examined at the cellular level.
2. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This is a study that involves identifying an immunological reaction to certain pathogens that are found in biological material taken from the patient. The analysis has a high level of sensitivity. But the study reveals not the pathogen itself, but the reaction to it.
3. Bacteriological It shows the microflora and allows you to determine the sensitivity of a given type of infection to antibacterial drugs. In a favorable environment, the infection develops rapidly. After just a few days, a systemic culture is formed. It is in this form that its sensitivity to drugs can be determined.
4. Polymer chain reaction (PCR). This analysis determines the DNA and RNA of the pathogen itself. For this purpose, various biological materials are being studied. The analysis provides a description of the pathogen that provoked the development of a latent infection, determines the duration of the disease and provides a quantitative assessment of the disease.
5. Immunofluorescence reaction (RIF). In this study, biological material is exposed to various staining reagents. This allows us to study the infection in more detail at the cellular level.

Cost of tests

The fair half is concerned about many questions when it comes to hidden infections in women: the list, the cost of tests, how to prepare for them and where to take them.

Before considering the answers to the topics of concern, it is important to remember the following. Every woman should have a bacterial smear every year to eliminate the risk of developing hidden infections. The study can be carried out in any clinic specializing in this area.

Now let’s look at how much tests for hidden infections in women cost.

List of studies that are most often offered in clinics:

1. Urogenital smear - on average costs 300 rubles.
2. Cytological examination - about 700 rubles.
3. Diagnostics for the presence of Papillomavirus will cost 700 rubles.
4. Histological examination - costs 1590 rubles.

Preparing for tests

In order for the diagnosis to be carried out as accurately as possible, the woman is advised to prepare properly for it.

To do this, you must follow a number of important rules:

1. Bacterial material should be taken on the 5th or 6th day from the start of the menstrual cycle.
2. 2 weeks before the tests you should stop taking the following medications: antibiotics, antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs.
3. It is recommended to abstain from sexual intercourse for several days before taking the test.
4. 24 hours before diagnosis, you should not use local contraceptives, intimate hygiene products, or antiseptics. In addition, douching is not recommended during this period.

Tests for hidden infections are prescribed to all couples who are planning to have a baby. This diagnosis is especially important for those men and women who have been unable to have an heir for a long time. After all, advanced infections very often lead to infertility. Therefore, do not forget about the need for annual testing.

The human immune system is able to withstand a lot of stress and influence, but against the backdrop of environmental ill-being, daily high stress readiness and an accelerated rhythm of life, its abilities are noticeably reduced.

The body becomes vulnerable to the penetration of bacteria and viruses, which is why frequent diseases, viral and bacterial infections attack.

Some infectious diseases are considered the most insidious due to the fact that the symptoms accompanying their course are hidden and illnesses do not bring noticeable discomfort and inconvenience to a person. But their destructive effect on the body gradually leads to complex and dangerous health consequences.

Stages and signs of development of hidden pathology

Bacterial infections in women, unfortunately, are not a rare occurrence, since the ways in which viruses enter the body are varied, and the bacteria themselves become increasingly latent in the female microenvironment. Some infections in gynecology appear immediately after entering the body, proceed violently, and are accompanied by severe symptoms.

But hidden viral diseases have a much more insidious and destructive effect on women and their reproductive health due to their unpredictability.

They can destroy the reproductive health of women themselves, be transmitted to partners and cause pathologies in them as well. After entering the body, the infection goes through several stages in its development:

Gradually, the process becomes chronic, provoking inflammatory exacerbations and gynecological pathologies in women.

Despite the fact that latent infectious pathologies pose a danger precisely because in some cases they are asymptomatic until a certain period, minor and erased first symptoms of these processes can be diagnosed. The following signs indicate the presence of infection:

If the symptoms begin to appear simultaneously and become an “obsessive” problem, then we can say that the causative agent of the disease is present.

Classification of diseases

Hidden infections in obstetric and gynecological practice are noted by the fact that they are often combined with each other, aggravating and provoking inflammatory complications. There are several such infections; they are united by an asymptomatic or mildly manifested course.

Despite the fact that anaerobic bacteria, viruses and microorganisms, once on the mucous membranes of the reproductive system, begin to actively multiply and function, the symptoms of infection may not be felt for many years.

A provoking factor for the exacerbation of complications that cause hidden fungal or anaerobic infections is considered to be suppression of the immune system against the background of:

1. Pregnancy and childbearing.
2. Viral diseases.
3. Impact of adverse factors and stressful situations.

Important! Most often, hidden female infections make themselves felt already at the stage of pregnancy and gestation. This is why specialists pay attention to the fact that such infectious diseases are especially dangerous for the health of the fetus.

Detection of pathology and diagnosis

Fungal, anaerobic and bacterial infections that are asymptomatic are quite difficult to identify. Experts point out that simple tests may not show pathology, so patients are prescribed special tests already at the stage of pregnancy planning or if hidden genital threats are suspected.

To obtain a reliable picture of the pathological process, tests are performed according to a special scheme and principle. Female infectious diseases are transmitted sexually, but can also be transmitted if hygiene rules are not followed.

The hidden and asymptomatic course of the pathological process interferes with timely and adequate diagnosis, therefore, when taking tests, you should follow a number of simple rules:

1. The appropriate time for collecting biomaterial is the fifth or sixth day of the cycle.
2. Refusal to take antibiotics, antimicrobial and antiviral drugs.
3. A couple of days before the test, you should avoid sexual intercourse.
4. A day before collecting the material, you should stop using antiseptics, douches, and intimate hygiene products.

Features of therapeutic effects

The presence of one or several pathologies at once will help identify a smear for hidden infections.

Gynecologists prefer this type of diagnostic study, since this analysis has a number of advantages:

• promotes accurate identification of the infectious agent;
• directly determines the viral agent, while a number of laboratory tests can only determine the decay products of the viral pathogen;
• For an adequate diagnosis, a small amount of test material is sufficient.

Doctors use special disposable instruments – brushes – to collect material. The material taken from the vagina is placed on a special glass and part of it is placed in a test tube. In this way, material is provided both for examination under a microscope and for research using the polymerase chain reaction method.