Last Updated on July 29, 2021 by Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
How do you get Trichomoniasis/How can you get Trichomoniasis? Trich Causes:
Trich is caused by the single-cell protozoan parasite trichomonas vaginalis. The vagina is the most common site of infection (resulting in small open sores on the vaginal wall), and the urethra is the 2nd most common site of infection.
The parasite is contracted via direct genital fluid contact and can be transmitted through penis to vagina intercourse or vulva to vulva contact with someone who has it.
Trichomonas lives in warm and damp environments like the vagina, urethra, or bladder. It is usually sexually transmitted, but is occasionally spread by sharing damp towels, washclothes, or bathing suits.
How to tell if you have Trich? Trichomoniasis Symptoms:
Most people with penises do not have apparent symptoms; however, some may temporarily have:
- irritation inside the penis
- mild discharge
- slight burning after urination or ejaculation
In people with vulvas/vaginas, symptoms may include:
- frothy yellow-green discharge with a strong odor
- discomfort during intercourse and urination
- irritation and itching of the genital area
- lower abdominal pain (rarely)
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How to know if you have Trich? Trichomonisasis Tests:
Diagnosis can be confirmed by looking at a sample of vaginal discharge or with newer tests that use rapid antigen detection and NAAT methods. The newer tests are more accurate.
Relief spells (Rolaids?!) Trichomoniasis Treatment:
Trich is usually cured by prescription drugs.
What’s going to happen to me?!!?! Trichomoniasis Expectations:
While one round of antibiotics usually cures an infection, sometimes a second round is needed.
Things to be aware of… Trichomoniasis Complications:
One can continue to infect and reinfect a partner until Trich has been successfully treated. Having Trich increases susceptibility to HIV, and may also increase the chance that a person with HIV with pass HIV to their partner(s).
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References
- Symptoms
- Doxtader, Erika E., and Tarik M. Elsheikh. “Diagnosis of trichomoniasis in men by urine cytology.” Cancer cytopathology 125.1 (2017): 55-59.
- Ahady, Mohammad Taghi, et al. “Prevalence of Trichomoniasis among 18–48 year-old women in northwest of Iran.” Iranian journal of parasitology 11.4 (2016): 580.
- Sobel, Jack D. “Approach to women with symptoms of vaginitis.” UpToDate. August 19 (2016).
- Graves, Keonte J., et al. “Trichomonas vaginalis virus (TVV) among women with trichomoniasis and associations with demographics, clinical outcomes, and metronidazole resistance.” Clinical Infectious Diseases (2019).
- Jamshidi, Ali. “Comparison of Three Methods of Clinical Diagnosis, Microscopic and PCR Techniques for Detection of Trichomoniasis in Women in the Yasuj City.” Science 5.1 (2016): 12-15.
- Testing
- Postenrieder, Nikki R., et al. “Rapid antigen testing for Trichomoniasis in an Emergency Department.” Pediatrics 137.6 (2016).
- Muzny, Christina A., et al. “Incidence and predictors of reinfection with trichomoniasis based on nucleic acid amplification testing results in HIV-infected patients.” International journal of STD & AIDS (2018): 0956462418807115.
- Natoli, Lisa, et al. “17 Pointofcare testing for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis.” A Practical Guide to Global Point-of-Care Testing (2016).
- Liu, Eugene W., et al. “Survey of Obstetrician-gynecologists in the United States About Trichomoniasis, 2016.” Sexually transmitted diseases 46.1 (2019): 9.
- Rosenberger, Kelly D., and Courtney Fisk. “A missed diagnosis of trichomoniasis.” The Nurse Practitioner 42.2 (2017): 1-4.
- Treatment
- Kissinger, Patricia, et al. “Single-dose versus 7-day-dose metronidazole for the treatment of trichomoniasis in women: an open-label, randomised controlled trial.” The Lancet Infectious Diseases 18.11 (2018): 1251-1259.
- Howe, Katharine, and Patricia Kissinger. “Single-dose compared to multi-dose metronidazole for the treatment of trichomoniasis in women: A meta-analysis.” Sexually transmitted diseases 44.1 (2017): 29.
- Kissinger, Patricia. “Epidemiology and treatment of trichomoniasis.” Current infectious disease reports 17.6 (2015): 31.
- Bouchemal, Kawthar, Christian Bories, and Philippe M. Loiseau. “Strategies for prevention and treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis infections.” Clinical microbiology reviews 30.3 (2017): 811-825.
- de Brum Vieira, Patricia, Tiana Tasca, and W. Evan Secor. “Challenges and persistent questions in the treatment of Trichomoniasis.” Current topics in medicinal chemistry 17.11 (2017): 1249-1265.
- Prevention
- Bouchemal, Kawthar, Christian Bories, and Philippe M. Loiseau. “Strategies for prevention and treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis infections.” Clinical microbiology reviews 30.3 (2017): 811-825.
- Rönn, Minttu M., and Katherine ME Turner. “The dawn of novel STI prevention methods: modelling potential unintended effects of changes in cervical cancer screening guidelines on trichomoniasis.” (2018): 161-162.
- Holmes, K. K., et al. “Sexually Transmitted Infections: Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Prevention–Major Infectious Diseases.” (2017).
- Howe, Katharine, and Patricia Kissinger. “Single-dose compared to multi-dose metronidazole for the treatment of trichomoniasis in women: A meta-analysis.” Sexually transmitted diseases 44.1 (2017): 29.
- Khurana, Sumeeta, and Shreya Singh. “Human Trichomoniasis.” Infectious Diseases and Your Health. Springer, Singapore, 2018. 99-111.
- Transmission
- de Brum Vieira, Patricia, Tiana Tasca, and W. Evan Secor. “Challenges and persistent questions in the treatment of Trichomoniasis.” Current topics in medicinal chemistry 17.11 (2017): 1249-1265.
- Kissinger, Patricia. “Epidemiology and treatment of trichomoniasis.” Current infectious disease reports 17.6 (2015): 31.
- Bruni, Mirian Pinheiro, et al. “Aptima Trichomonas vaginalis assay elucidates significant underdiagnosis of trichomoniasis among women in Brazil according to an observational study.” Sex Transm Infect 95.2 (2019): 129-132.
- Meites, Elissa, et al. “A review of evidence-based care of symptomatic trichomoniasis and asymptomatic Trichomonas vaginalis infections.” Clinical infectious diseases 61.suppl_8 (2015): S837-S848.
- Menezes, Camila Braz, Amanda Piccoli Frasson, and Tiana Tasca. “Trichomoniasis-are we giving the deserved attention to the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide?.” Microbial cell 3.9 (2016): 404.
