|
|
|
|
|
|
Trichomonas
Also known as: Trich
|
|
|
|
      |
|
|
Common Questions
|
| |
1. What are the symptoms of a trichomonas infection?
2. How is trichomonas transmitted?
3. How is it treated?
4. How can it be prevented?
1. What are the symptoms of a trichomonas infection?
In women, the most common symptoms include a foul-smelling or frothy green discharge from the vagina and itching or redness in and around the vagina. Other symptoms can include pain during sexual intercourse, discomfort or swelling in the lower abdomen or groin, and the frequent urge to urinate, often with pain and burning. However, 50% of women with T. vaginalis infections have no symptoms.
In men, the most common symptom is urethritis, which includes discharge from the urethra, an urge to urinate frequently, and a burning sensation on urination. Those men without symptoms (asymptomatic carriers) may spread the infection to others.
2. How is trichomonas transmitted?
The parasite is transmitted through sexual contact.
3. How is it treated?
It is usually treated with an antibiotic called metronidazole. Most antibiotics created to treat bacterial infections will not be effective against this parasitic infection. All current sexual partners must be treated at the same time or the patient is likely to become re-infected.
4. How can it be prevented?
The Centers for Disease Control recommend the following guidelines:
- Abstain from sexual intercourse; or
- Use a latex condom properly, every time you have sexual intercourse, with every partner.
- Limit your sexual partners. The more sex partners you have, the greater your risk of encountering someone who has this or other STDs.
- If you are infected, your sexual partner(s) should be treated. This will prevent you from getting reinfected.
|
|
|
This article was last reviewed on
August 28, 2006.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
