Candidal Vulvovaginitis vs Trichomoniasis
Candidal Vulvovaginitis and Trichomoniasis are easy to mix up on the boards. Here's a side-by-side comparison — presentation, workup, imaging, and first-line treatment — drawn from our full outlines.
Candidal Vulvovaginitis vs Trichomoniasis at a glance
- Candidal Vulvovaginitis: Yeast infection of the vulva/vagina — thick white discharge, intense pruritus, normal pH.
- Trichomoniasis: Sexually transmitted protozoal infection — frothy yellow-green discharge, strawberry cervix; treat patient and partners.
Keep comparing — start your free trial
You've used your 2 free previews. Create your free account to see the full Candidal Vulvovaginitis vs Trichomoniasis comparison — plus all 514 diagnosis outlines, 5,500+ board-style questions, and an AI tutor. Your 7-day free trial includes everything, no credit card required.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Candidal Vulvovaginitis | Trichomoniasis |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | Yeast infection of the vulva/vagina — thick white discharge, intense pruritus, normal pH. | Sexually transmitted protozoal infection — frothy yellow-green discharge, strawberry cervix; treat patient and partners. |
| Classic presentation | Woman after antibiotic use with severe vulvar itching, vulvar erythema, thick curd-like discharge, normal pH, and yeast/pseudohyphae on KOH prep.; Intense… | Sexually active woman with frothy malodorous discharge, vulvar pruritus, and strawberry cervix on colposcopy or speculum exam.; Frothy, malodorous… |
| Workup / key labs | Vaginal pH normal (<4.5) — important distinguishing feature; 10% KOH wet mount: budding yeast, pseudohyphae (C. albicans) or budding yeast without… | NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test) — preferred; high sensitivity/specificity; Wet mount microscopy — motile, pear-shaped flagellated trichomonads (~50-70%… |
| First-line treatment | Uncomplicated: fluconazole 150 mg PO × 1 dose; Topical azole alternatives × 1-7 days: clotrimazole, miconazole, terconazole, tioconazole (available OTC);… | Women: metronidazole 500 mg PO BID × 7 days (CDC 2021 — replaced single 2 g dose for women based on trial data showing lower recurrence with 7-day regimen);… |
Drill Candidal Vulvovaginitis vs Trichomoniasis questions on FirstPassPA
Turn this comparison into retention. 5,500+ board-style questions with an AI tutor that explains every answer — free to start, no card required.
Start studying free → Try today's free questionEducational use only. This outline is a study aid for PA students and is not medical advice or a substitute for clinical judgment. FirstPassPA is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NCCPA. PANCE® and PANRE® are registered trademarks of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.