Infection with Trichomonas
| Trichomoniasis | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | trich |
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| Micrograph showing a positive result for trichomoniasis. A trichomonas organism is seen on the top-right of the image. | |
| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | Gynecology |
| ICD-10 | A59 |
| ICD-9-CM | 131,007.3 |
| DiseasesDB | 13334 |
| MedlinePlus | 001331 |
| eMedicine | med/2308 emerg/613 |
| MeSH | D014246 |
Trichomoniasis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. About 70% of women and men do not have symptoms when infected. When symptoms do occur they typically begin 5 to 28 days after exposure. Symptoms can include itching in the genital area, a bad smelling thin vaginal discharge, burning with urination, and pain with sex. Having trichomoniasis increases the risk of getting HIV/AIDS. It may also cause complications during pregnancy.
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which is most often spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. It can also spread through genital touching. People who are infected may spread the disease even when symptoms are not present. Diagnosis is by finding the parasite in the vaginal fluid using a microscope, culturing the vagina or urine, or testing for the parasites DNA. If present other sexually transmitted infections should be tested for.
Methods of prevention include not having sex, using condoms, not douching, and being tested for STIs before having sex with a new partner. Trichomoniasis can be cured with antibiotics, either metronidazole or tinidazole. Sexual partners should also be treated. About 20% of people get infected again within three months of treatment.
There were about 58 million cases of trichomoniasis in 2013. In the United States there are about 2 million women affected. It occurs more often in women than men.Trichomonas vaginalis was first identified in 1836 by Alfred Donné. It was first recognized as causing this disease in 1916.
Most people infected with trichomonas vaginalis do not have any symptoms. Symptoms experienced include pain, burning or itching in the penis, urethra (urethritis), or vagina (vaginitis). Discomfort for both sexes may increase during intercourse and urination. For women there may also be a yellow-green, itchy, frothy, foul-smelling ("fishy" smell) vaginal discharge. In rare cases, lower abdominal pain can occur. Symptoms usually appear within 5 to 28 days of exposure.
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