acute cervicitis, infection of the cervix marked by redness, edema, and bleeding on contact. Symptoms do not always occur but may include any or all of the following: copious, foul-smelling discharge from the vagina; pelvic pressure or pain; scant bleeding with intercourse; and itching or burning of the external genitalia. The principal causative organisms are Trichomonas vaginalis; Candida albicans; gonococcus, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus species; and Haemophilus vaginalis. Diagnosis is by microscopic examination, confirmed in some cases by culture and Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. Specific antimicrobial medication may be effective. Acute cervicitis tends to be a recurrent problem because of reexposure to the germ, undertreatment, or predisposing factors such as human immunodeficiency virus infection, multiple sexual partners, or poor nutrition. See cervicitis.
