An absorbent article for personal hygiene is disclosed with an absorbent core sealed between a liquid impermeable garment-side liner and a liquid permeable body-side cover together with an attached bacterial isolation pad, consisting of an absorbent layer sealed between an extension of the liquid impermeable garment-side liner and a liquid permeable topsheet which can be positioned to overlay the anal region of the body-side cover. A detachable bacterial isolation pad from the absorbent article and from the body-side cover is provided. Hygienic gripping tabs at the front-facing end of the absorbent article and at the rear-facing end of the bacterial isolation pad allow sanitary handling during removal of a soiled article.