Many illnesses can be attributed to infection. Each of the groups of organisms responsible for illness may be related to a wide spectrum of diseases. The smallest organisms are the viruses. They account for diseases including influenza and the common cold. They are also the cause of poliomyelitis and AIDS (HIV / AIDS). We have very few medicines to eradicate viruses. The best form of treatment is prevention by immunization. The gynaecological problems associated with viruses are discussed in (2)
Bacteria are responsible for diseases varying from folliculitis (a boil), some forms of meningitis and some chronic conditions including tuberculosis. Bacteria are responsible for pelvic inflammatory disease (Q 20.2) and bacterial vaginosis (Q 22.7).
In non-gynaecological areas of medicine, infections have unexpectedly been found to be associated with disease. Examples are Helicobacter in peptic ulcers and Chlamydia pneumoniae in coronary heart disease. Some gynaecological conditions including dysfunctional uterine bleeding (Q 24.6), unexplained infertility, recurrent miscarriage, pelvic pain and premenstrual syndrome prove elusive to adequate scientific explanation. There are likely to be a variety of causes, which makes analysis difficult. The author has recently introduced the concept that some of these unexplained conditions may be related to bacteria within the uterus (bacteria endometrialis). A great deal of research will be required to evaluate this concept.
