Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a parasite. The disease spreads from person to person during sex, and symptoms appear within five to 28 days of infection. People with this infection are at a higher risk of contracting other STDs, such as HIV or AIDS. Additionally, pregnant women with trichomoniasis are more likely to give birth prematurely, and their babies will have low birth weights. Treatment for this infection usually involves antibiotics.
Symptoms
Trichomonas vaginalis is a fungus that typically infects the female reproductive tract, including the cervix and urethra. Symptoms of trichomoniasis are not common, but some individuals suffer from various discomforts. Itching, discharge, and an unpleasant odor are common. In severe cases, the infection can lead to several other complications, such as a higher risk of HIV infection, premature delivery, and low birth weight.
Once you have contracted trichomoniasis, your doctor will recommend antibiotics to clear up the infection. Usually, these antibiotics can be taken once or twice daily for five to seven days, depending on the severity of the infection. However, you must complete the entire course of treatment to prevent the fungus from returning.
If you suspect you may have trichomoniasis, visit a doctor or nurse at your local Planned Parenthood health center. The diagnosis is made by examining a sample of the affected genital fluid or urine under a microscope. Sometimes, your doctor may want to perform a culture to collect the affected tissue. This culture will store the sample for several days and may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, after treating trichomoniasis, you will likely need to get tested for other sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of trichomoniases requires various techniques, such as serological examination, culture, and wet mount staining. These tests have the potential to detect a variety of antigens that are specific to different types of parasites. However, the specificity and cost-effectiveness of these tests are still unclear.
Diagnosis of trichomoniases is essential for treating the infection and preventing its recurrence. Therefore, all women with vaginitis should undergo diagnostic testing. Traditionally, the diagnosis of trichomoniasis was based on a microscopic examination of a wet mount. The positive predictive value of this method was 60%, and the negative predictive value was 80%. However, direct immunofluorescent antibody staining can significantly improve the positive predictive value. In addition, parasitic cultures may be used to confirm the diagnosis, although they take several days. Rapid diagnostic point-of-care dipstick tests and molecular diagnostic methods based on PCR are also available.
Testing for trichomoniasis depends on the doctor’s experience and the accuracy of the test. The test can detect up to 70% trichomoniasis in approximately 30% of patients. Similarly, cultures accurately detect 70 to 85% of active infections in trichomoniasis. Therefore, diagnosis of trichomoniasis is essential for pregnant women and patients at risk for the disease.
Treatment
Treatment of trichomoniasis involves getting rid of the parasite and protecting your body against further infection. Trichomonas vaginalis, a protozoan parasite, is the most common cause of nonviral sex-transmitted infections. It is most common among black women and can be transmitted during sexual intercourse. Symptoms include vulvar irritation and an odorous, yellow-green discharge. In women, the infection may also lead to postcoital bleeding.
In the early 1960s, scientists discovered that metronidazole, a 5-nitroimidazole, could cure trichomoniasis. This drug, derived from the Streptomyces antibiotic neomycin, showed an almost 100 percent cure rate in systemic trials. Its 5-nitro group is responsible for its antiprotozoal activity.
After treatment, healthcare providers should retest the patient for trichomoniasis, ideally two to three months after treatment. This is because some parasite strains may persist in the body, leading to reinfection. If a patient’s infection has not cleared up, they should seek medical attention immediately.
Prevention
The prevention of trichomoniasis is an integral part of preventing sexually transmitted infections. Trichomonas vaginalis is a bacterium that infects the vagina. It is a common cause of infection in both men and women. However, Trichomonas infections in women are more likely than in men to cause symptoms. Around 20% of women will experience vaginal trichomoniasis during their reproductive years. The disease is diagnosed by microscopic examination of the urine. In some cases, urine culture is required.
Prevention of trichomoniasis is essential because this infection can result in serious complications. For example, women are at risk of having preterm or low birth weight babies when they contract trichomoniasis, and men may experience an increased incidence of preterm labor. Men may also develop vaginitis or urethritis due to the infection.
Fortunately, treatment for trichomoniasis is effective in most cases. Once the organisms have been killed, the infection does not recur. However, it is essential to maintain a healthy vaginal environment to prevent the disease from recurrence. This includes maintaining the right balance of normal bacteria and natural acids that prevent the growth of abnormal bacteria. Some factors can disrupt this balance, including excessive douching and infection with bacterial vaginosis.
