Tonsillitis simply means inflammation of the tonsils due to an infection. When it’s “bacterial tonsillitis,” the infection is caused by bacteria (rather than a virus). The most common culprit is Group A Streptococcus – the bacteria responsible for strep throat. In fact, many people use “strep throat” and tonsillitis interchangeably when talking about bacterial cases. … Read more
You wake up with a painfully sore throat and notice your tonsils are swollen. A question immediately comes to mind – is it tonsillitis, and if so, is it contagious? This is a common worry for parents and anyone feeling under the weather with throat pain. Tonsillitis refers to inflammation of the tonsils (the two … Read more
Ever notice that your bacterial vaginosis symptoms seem to get worse after sex or during certain times of your cycle? You’re not imagining it. BV symptoms can definitely flare up in response to changes in your vaginal environment. The culprits often involve sex, shifts in pH levels, and disturbances in the delicate vaginal microbiome. Let’s … Read more
If you’ve ever searched online about bacterial vaginosis (BV) and bleeding, you probably found conflicting answers. Many sources insist that BV does not cause bleeding, yet some women swear they experienced spotting or bleeding when they had BV. So, what’s the truth? Let’s look at what medical studies and experts say, and then clarify when … Read more
If you’ve been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and then notice a little bit of spotting, it’s natural to wonder if the two are related. Is it common to have spotting (light bleeding) when you have BV? The short answer is that it’s not very common, but it can happen occasionally. The classic symptoms of … Read more
It’s one thing to deal with the unpleasant odor and discharge of bacterial vaginosis (BV). But seeing blood on top of that can really amplify your worries. Why would BV cause bleeding? Understanding the possible mechanisms can help put your mind at ease (or at least prepare you to take the right action). Let’s break … Read more
You might be familiar with the telltale signs of bacterial vaginosis (BV): the fishy odor and the annoying discharge that just won’t quit. But what happens if you start noticing a pink tinge or a few spots of blood along with those symptoms? It’s easy to feel alarmed. Can BV cause bleeding or spotting? This … Read more
When you’re first learning microbiology, all the talk of DNA and RNA can get confusing. They’re both nucleic acids, they both carry genetic information of some sort, and their names differ by just one letter! But DNA and RNA have distinct structures, functions, and roles in the cell. Think of it this way: if the … Read more
Someone once asked me, “Do bacteria have RNA, or just DNA?” It’s a great question because we often hear about bacterial DNA – the famous double helix carrying genes – but not as much about RNA in bacteria unless we’re in a microbiology class. The short answer is yes, bacteria absolutely have RNA. In fact, … Read more
You’ve likely heard news about a “new strain of bacteria” causing an outbreak or read on a yogurt label that it contains Lactobacillus strain so-and-so. The word “strain” gets thrown around a lot, but what exactly does it mean? In plain language, a bacterial strain is a specific version or subtype of a bacterial species. … Read more