Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by a parasite. In women, this condition causes a variety of symptoms, but men who contract it usually do not display any symptoms. Pregnant women are at higher risk of delivering their baby prematurely if they contract trichomoniasis.
The symptoms of trichomoniasis in women are:
In men, symptoms are rare. When men do show symptoms, they include:
The cause of this infection is a single-celled protozoan called trichomonas vaginalis. The parasite is communicated between partners during genital contact and through sexual contact, like oral and anal sex. This parasite only infects the lower genital tract, the vagina, the opening of the uterus, and the urethra in both sexes.
The incubation period of this infection can vary. It can range from four to twenty eight days. Even without symptoms, an infected person can pass trichomoniasis to others. This is why many men share this infection with their sexual partners without disclosing the condition to them. They might not have any symptoms and therefore, not be aware that they have an infection.
The risk factors for trichomoniasis are:
Diagnosis of this condition can be made through physical examination alone in some cases, but usually, a swab of the fluid that is being generated by the vagina or that is coming out of the penis will be swabbed and looked at under a microscope. If trichomoniasis is present under the microscope, the diagnosis is easily confirmed.
Prevention of this condition involves practising safe sex. This means using a condom when you have sex. You also need to be sure that you do not have sex with anyone who has been diagnosed with trichomoniasis until their infection has cleared. Make sure that you and your new sexual partners get tested for STDs before engaging in sexual acts.
Treatment of trichomoniasis is done with antibiotics. These treatments can also be given during pregnancy. You might be given a megadose of various antibiotics to treat this condition, or you could be given multiple doses that are meant to be taken over the course of a week.
The antibiotics that treat this condition are Flagyl, Tindamax, and Solosec. All of the sex partners linked with someone who has been diagnosed need to seek treatment at the same time to prevent reinfection. You will usually need to be retested after you complete your treatment to confirm that the infection has been resolved.