Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis (also called trich, pronounced “trick”) is the most common curable sexually transmitted disease (STD) found in young, sexually active women. It can also infect men, but unlike women, most men will not have any symptoms. For women, symptoms can include a foul order, vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation or itching, and pain during sex or urination. For men, symptoms can include penile discharge, irritation inside the penis, urge to urinate often, and pain when urinating.

Trichomoniasis is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, a single celled protozoan parasite. It can be cured with antibiotics. The parasite is usually transmitted through sexual contact, so if a young child is diagnosed with trichomoniasis, it could be a sign of sexual abuse.

Reporting

According to the Center for Disease and Control (CDC) in the United States there were an estimated 5 million cases of trichomoniasis in 2000. (source)
(back to top)

Transmission

Trichomoniasis can be transmitted by either vaginal sex or vulva to vulva (the outer female genital area) sexual contact. Women can acquire the parasite from men and other women, while men usually acquire it from only women.

Being infected by a toilet seat or any other object is unlikely because the parasite can not live that long outside a body.

Once a person has been infected and treated, he or she can be infected again. The body does not build up immunity to the parasite.
(back to top)

Symptoms

The symptoms of trichomoniasis usually take four to twenty-eight days to occur and are different in men and women. In women symptoms can occur suddenly during or after menstruation.

Most men will not have any symptoms. When they do, symptoms could be experienced as a mild penile discharge, irritation inside the penis, urge to urinate often, and a mild burning sensation when urinating.

Some women will have symptoms. The symptoms can be experienced as vaginal discharge that could be green-yellow and frothy, pain or discomfort during sex, vaginal irritation or itching, a foul smell, pain during urination, and rarely lower abdominal pain.
(back to top)

Testing / Diagnosis

Trichomoniasis is diagnosed by laboratory testing and a physical examination by a health care provider. For men, a sample is collected from the urethra (urine canal) and tested. For women, a pelvic exam will be performed and a vaginal sample is collected and then tested. The pelvic exam can also reveal small red ulcerations (sores) on the cervix or vaginal wall.
(back to top)

Treatment

Trichomoniasis can be treated and cured with antibiotics. The antibiotic metronidazole (Flagyl) is the most commonly prescribed. It should be noted that in some infected men, symptoms can go away without antibiotics or they could have no symptoms at all. These men will still be able to transmit trichomoniasis to their female partners and should be treated when they are infected or know their female partner is infected.
(back to top)

Complications

On rare occasions, women who are pregnant can transmit trichomoniasis to their babies during birth. Babies who are infected may develop a fever and the girls may also develop a vaginal discharge. Trichomoniasis can also cause babies to be born prematurely or with a low birth weight (under 5 pounds).

Trichomoniasis can also increase a woman’s chances of being infected by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD).
(back to top)

Prevention

Abstaining from sexual contact is the surest way to avoid the transmission of trichomoniasis. A mutual monogamous relationship with a trusted partner known to be tested and uninfected is another way.

Using a latex condom during vaginal sex can reduce the risk of transmission.

Since most men and some women have no symptoms, they should be tested and treated if their sexual partners are infected. If they do not, they could continue to re-infect their partners after their partners were treated.
(back to top)