Learn About Trichomoniasis

What is Trichomoniasis?- Trichomoniasis is a very common sexually transmitted disease, which can occur in both men and women, but women are more effected, than men. It can happen to any sexual active, young women. Its symptoms mostly occur after five to twenty eight days of exposure to the virus. It is easily curable if the treatment starts at the first onset. More than seven million people get affected of this infection every year.

Causes—It is caused by the protozoan parasite, called ‘Trichomonas Vaginalis’. It is a single celled parasite, which causes the infection in vagina in women and in Urethra, in men. These are the common sites of this infection. It is transmitted through the sexual intercourse, if one of the partners is carrying the infection. Men can get the infection through the infected female, but women can acquire it from the both men and women. Women having sexual relations with other women can also spread this infection to each other.

Symptoms—Some greenish-yellow vaginal discharge, itching and irritation in genital area, irritation during urination, and sometimes pain in lower abdomen, strong odor in discharge, discomfort in intercourse, are the common symptoms in women which may occur due to this infection. In men usually there are no symptoms, but they may feel the irritation in penis, burning sensation during ejaculation or urination, and slight discharge from the penis. Sometimes men do not get any such symptoms but can still carry the parasite.

Treatment and Prevention—Trichmoniasis can be treated with a single dose of metronidazole tablet given orally. It is easily curable in men, and usually the parasite is killed within a week. Sometimes men do not even have medicine, as the symptoms may not occur, but at the same time he can infect the women, with his infection. So it is necessary for both the partners to take the treatment simultaneously. Metronidazole drug is even safe for the pregnant women too. A pregnant woman can forward this infection to her baby, which may result in premature or low weight birth rate.

Best way to prevent you from Trichmoniasis is to stop having sex with the infected partner till he/she is cured. Use condom before every sexual act. Its non-porous latex does not transmit the disease. Finding any of the symptoms is an indication of the infection, so you must consult the doctor immediately. If not treated, it can multifold the risk of HIV infection in the women.

Tags: HIV