Chlamydia vs Bacterial Vaginosis(BV): differences and similarities

Unlike chlamydia

Unlike BV, chlamydia [1] Chlamydia – CDC Basic Fact Sheet https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm is considered a sexually transmitted disease and is acquired only through unprotected sex (oral receiving or genital).
BV is caused by a vaginal pH imbalance, which can result from sexual activity and other non-sex-related events, including douching, recent use of antibiotics, using an IUD, and pregnancy.

However, sexual activity is the more common cause of BV, especially with new partner and condomless sex (it’s unclear why this is so). BV is more likely to be contracted through oral sex than genital contact, which is why it is more common among homosexual females.

This is a significant differentiating factor. The average incubation period for BV is about 4 days; for chlamydia, it is 2 weeks.

Unlike chlamydia [2] Chlamydia Symptoms https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia/symptoms (which affects the cervix, deep in the body), BV affects the outer portion of the vagina, and for that reason produces more obvious vaginitis symptoms: itch around the vaginal opening, redness, and burning. It begins as a mild itch with clear, foul-smelling discharge. If left untreated, the itch intensifies and redness and swelling (of the vulva and vagina) worsen.

Cervicitis (chlamydia) causes fewer vaginal symptoms. It can start with minimal vaginal discharge or urinary symptoms (burning with urination, urgency, and frequent urination). Occasionally, the only symptom is bleeding between periods and with sexual activity.

Prolonged, untreated chlamydia can result in abdominal pain and can progress to PID.

BV produces a moderate amount of thin, whitish discharge, whereas chlamydia [3] Chlamydia https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4023-chlamydia causes a transparent, scanty discharge.

Any vaginal discharge can be smelly, but certain conditions are well known to have a specific smell. BV is one of them; it has a fishy-smelling discharge. This odor is the result of the altered pH level in the vagina caused by the interaction between healthy vaginal bacteria and unhealthy bacteria.

Chlamydia discharge also can occasionally have a foul smell.

Unlike chlamydia, BV (if left untreated) causes significant redness and swelling of the vaginal opening.