The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource
Sign up for free e-mail updates!The Body en Espanol
Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.

Ask the Experts about Opportunistic Infections

 

First trimester and STDs
Mar 13, 2000

In the first trimester of pregnancy, which types of vaginitis and STDs do you feel comfortable treating? The CDC guidelines do not oppose treating any of these conditions. However, a colleague of mine refuses to treat ANY woman less than 20 weeks with any type of medications for vaginitis/STDs. We have an HIV + woman with a severe yeast infection that she recommended pouring a vinegar solution over her genitalia. I wanted to treat with a vaginal antifungal. What is your opinion? What is the most current literature that you are familiar with?

Response from Dr. Feinberg

A topical vaginal antifungal makes the most sense to me. Your colleague clearly has a very conservative view of treating pregnant women that many other physicians do not share. And I don't understand the 20 week cutoff when organ formation occurs by week 12 and congenital malformations are everyone's greatest concerns. In addition to CDC guidelines, you can check the position of ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology).



Terms of Use
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.

Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their messages.

Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.

Copyright notice.