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Vaginitis test - wet mount - Results

Alternative Names

Wet prep

Normal Values:

A normal test result means there are no signs of an infection.

What abnormal results mean:

Abnormal results mean there is an infection. The most common infections are due to one or a combination of the following:

Bacterial vaginosis -- bacteria that normally live in the vagina overgrow, causing a heavy, white, fishy-smelling discharge and possibly a rash, painful intercourse, or odor after intercourse
Trichomoniasis -- a sexually transmitted disease
Vaginal yeast infection

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

Atrophic vaginitis (associated with lack of estrogen)

Female reproductive anatomy

The wet mount vaginitis test

Uterus

Pap smear

Reviewed last on: 5/2/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Eckert LO. Lentz GM. Infections of the Lower Genital Tract: Vulva, Vagina, Cervix, Toxic Shock Syndrome, HIV Infections. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007: Chap. 22.

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