Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan that causes a parasitic disease of the genital organs. Trichomoniasis can be caught primarily through sexual contact with an infected partner. The transmission of the disease through the shared use of personal items (towels, linen) cannot be ruled out either. What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis and what is the treatment like?

Contents:

  1. Trichomoniasis - symptoms of infection
  2. Trichomoniasis in children
  3. Trichomoniasis - treatment
  4. Trichomoniasis - complications

Trichomonas vaginalis( Trichomonas vaginalis ) is a parasite that lives in women in the vagina, urethra, and in men also in the prostate gland . The infection occurs mainly during unprotected intercourse with a sick person. Buttrichomescan also survive for several hours, e.g. on a towel or a washing sponge. He also feels good in public toilets, swimming pools and saunas.

Trichomoniasis - symptoms of infection

Trichomoniasis infectionoften develops without any symptoms. In men, the disease is 5 times more likely to be asymptomatic, although women suffer from it more often.

Vaginal trichomesshows symptoms sometimes as early as 3-4 days after infection - women may experience abundant, foamy vaginal discharge with a yellow or greenish color and an unpleasant odor. Usually there is also itching and irritation of the intimate parts and pain during intercourse. The disease can also manifest itself as pain and burning when urinating (dysuria), as well as pollakiuria.

Trichomoniasis in mengives urethritis-like symptoms, i.e. it is characterized by pain, stinging, burning along the urethra, redness at its mouth, difficulty urinating or pollakiuria, sometimes there is also a whitish, mucous, purulent discharge from the urethra.

Worth knowing

Trichomoniasis in children

A baby can catch trichomoniasis from the mother during childbirth. The infection is usually acute in newborns. Trichomoniasis is much less common in older children - then it may be the result of the parasite being transferred from the parents' bathing accessories (sponge, towel).

Trichomoniasis - treatment

If you suspect trichomoniasis, do not delay the visit to the gynecologist. You will need to take a vaginal smear to find out the cause of the infection. If you are indeed infected with vaginal trichomoniasis, your doctor will prescribe the antibiotic metronidazole (either for several days or for single use).

Home treatment does not work for trichomoniasis. The only effective treatment against infection is an antibiotic prescribed by a doctor.

For men, a urine sample or a urethral swab is required to test for the presence of trichomoniasis. For this, a man should visit a urologist or a dermatologist-venereologist. Treatment also includes taking an antibiotic.

The only possibility of a complete cure is to treat both partners at the same time, otherwise they will infect each other all the time.

Trichomoniasis - complications

The infection must not be ignored, because its complication may be:

  • chronic vaginitis
  • cystitis
  • infertility.

Trichomoniasis can lead to premature birth if you become pregnant.

The text uses excerpts from Aneta Grabowska's article from the "Zdrowie" monthly.

Category:

Intimate diseases