Culture HVS in Dehradun

What is a Culture HVS?

A high vaginal swab is cultured to identify organisms causing infection and to test which antibiotics will work against them. Its interpretation requires an understanding that the vagina is not sterile: it has a normal resident population dominated by lactobacilli, which maintain an acidic environment that suppresses other organisms. Infection generally reflects a disturbance of that balance rather than the simple arrival of a germ. The three commonest causes of abnormal discharge behave differently. Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of anaerobic organisms replacing lactobacilli, producing a thin grey discharge with a fishy odour, and it is diagnosed better by microscopy and pH than by culture. Candida, or thrush, produces thick white discharge with itching and grows readily on culture. Trichomonas is a parasite requiring specific testing. The swab also detects Group B Streptococcus, which matters chiefly in pregnancy, where carriage requires antibiotics during labour to protect the baby. Because normal flora also grows, a culture report must be read alongside symptoms rather than treated on its own.

Why take this test?

A high vaginal swab is advised for abnormal vaginal discharge, particularly where it has changed in colour, consistency or smell, for persistent itching or soreness, for discharge that has not settled on treatment already tried, and for recurrent infections. It is indicated in pregnancy where infection is suspected, and specifically for Group B Streptococcus screening in late pregnancy where that is your obstetrician's practice, since carriage is common and harmless to the mother but requires antibiotics in labour to protect the newborn. It is also used before certain gynaecological procedures. Collect the sample before starting antibiotics or antifungals where possible, and avoid vaginal creams, pessaries and douching beforehand, since all of these suppress the organisms and make the result uninformative. Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea are not reliably detected by routine culture and need specific tests, so mention any concern about those to your doctor.

• Abnormal vaginal discharge, or a change in colour, smell or consistency
• Persistent itching, soreness or irritation
• Discharge that has not settled on previous treatment
• Recurrent vaginal infections
• Suspected infection during pregnancy
• Group B Streptococcus screening in late pregnancy

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