Diagnosis
A health care provider can examine a sample of vaginal fluid under a microscope, either stained or in special lighting, to look for bacteria associated with BV. Then, they can diagnose BV based on
- Absence of lactobacilli
- Presence of numerous “clue cells” (cells from the vaginal lining that are coated with BV germs)
- Fishy odor
- Change from normal vaginal fluid