What is Trichomoniasis?
The common sexually transmitted disease trichomoniasis affects both men and women but symptoms are more common in women. The disases is caused by a one-cell parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis causes symptoms in approximately 50 percent of infected women. In men, infection is usually urethral (urinary tract) and lasts only a short time. However, men easily transmit the parasite to women during the short period when they are infected.
How Does Trichomoniasis Infection Occur?
Trichomoniasis is spread from person to person by way of unprotected sexual contact. The vagina is the most common site of infection in women and the urethra (urinary tract) is the most common in men. Women can get infected by men or women by direct sexual contact. Men or most commonly infected by women.What is the Risk When Women Have Sex with Other Women?
What Are the Symptoms of Trichomoniasis?
If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within four weeks of exposure. Symptoms include:Women
The symptoms in women include:
- genital inflammation
- foul smelling, yellow-green vaginal discharge
- pain with intercourse and/or urination
- vaginal irritation and itching
- abdominal pain (uncommon but occurs at times)
Important Information!
Pregnant women with trichomonaisis have an increased risk of having a baby born that weighs less than five pounds ("low birth weight") and/or is born prematurely.
Men
Most men have few or no symptoms at all. If they do have symptoms they are usually mild and don't last very long. They include:
- a sensation of irritation "inside" of the penis
- penile discharge
- burning after urination and/or ejaculation ("cumming")
Important Fact!
Genital inflammation can increase the risk of HIV infection in women. Also, tricomonaisis infection in HIV positive women increases the risk of passing HIV to male sexual partners.
How is Trichomoniasis Treated?
Women are easily treated with a single dose of antibiotic called Flagyl (metronidazole). In men, their infection will usually go away without treatment. However, because men are often unaware of their infection, they can re-infect their female partners over and over again. Therefore, treatment of both partners is recommended when one partner has been diagnosed. This way, the parasite can be cured in both partners and the cycle of re-infection can be stopped.
How Can Trichomoniasis Be Prevented?
- Using latex condoms each and every sexual contact.
- Sexual activity should stop, a diagnosis should be made, and treatment of the person and all sexual partners should be given if any symptoms of infection exist.
- Sexual activity should stop until treatment is completed and all symptoms have resolved.
Think Before Having Unprotected Sex
Source
Centers for Disease Control; "Trichomoniasis - CDC Fact Sheet"; 1 May 2004.
