What causes Trichomoniasis?

• It is caused by a protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis.

How do you get it?

• This infection occurs in the vagina of the women and so, sexual intercourse can transmit this infection to men.
• You can also get it by using an infected washcloth or towel
• It can be transmitted by a pregnant woman to her baby during delivery, since the baby has to pass through the vaginal canal.
• The infection can occur in men in the urethra (the tube that carries the urine to the penis) but doesn't have any symptoms usually.

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Who gets it?

• This is mostly an infection of women but men can also get it through sex.
• In the U.S., about 3 million people are infected every year.
• Newborn babies can get it when being delivered if the mother has the infection.
• Even children can get it if they use infected washcloth or towels left around by their infected mother

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What happens to me if I get this?

• In women:
  • The organism can live in the vagina for years and you may not feel anything.
  • If you do feel something, it is usually:
    • painful inflammation of vagina
    • itching in the vagina and vulva
    • a yellow, frothy, offensive discharge from the vagina.
    • Sexual intercourse may be painful.
• In men:
  • usually don't feel anything
  • may have some discomfort in the urethra (the tube that carries urine to the penis)
  • may have the head of the penis get inflamed and hurt a bit.

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How long does it last?

• Women can have the organism in their vagina for years without even feeling anything. But, during this time, have sex will transmit the organism to the partner.
• If you do feel something, it can go on for a long time until you treat it.

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How can I prevent it?

• If you know that you have the infection or suspect it, try not to have unprotected sex.
• Women should not leave washcloths and towels around that they used to wipe hands after handling or touching their vagina, especially if you have kids in the home. Always wash them immediately after use.

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How does the doctor test for this?

• In women, the doctor will simply take a sample of the discharge from the vagina and try to find the organism in the lab.
• In men, it is more difficult to find but the doctor may take a swabstick and wipe the urethra and look for the organism in the lab.

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How is it treated?

• The doctor will prescribe a medication called metronidazole which can clear up the infection.
• The doctor may also treat the partner because he/she may have it also and by doing so, it will lessen the chance of getting the infection again.

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What happens to me in the long run?

• This infection is not a very serious infection.
• Usually you may not feel anything and so, you can't tell if you have the infection. But, if you do feel something, going to the doctor and getting the infection treated will get rid of the infection with nothing more to worry about in the long run.
• You may get the infection again either because your partner didn't get treated and he/she also had the infection or the infection can happen again by itself, usually in women.

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