Here are the top interesting facts about trichomoniasis:
#1 Trichomoniasis, also referred to as “trich,” is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite with the scientific name – Trichomonas vaginalis (TV).
#2 It affects about 5 million new patients every year in the United States (it’s more common than gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis combined).
#3 This infection affects more women than men. Also, the symptoms in men are normally mild.
According to statistics, white American women have a prevalence of 1.3 percent, African American women a prevalence of 13.3 percent, and Mexican American women a prevalence of 1.8 percent. Also, the prevalence of women aged 18–25 is about 2.8 percent.
#4 Approximately 251 million cases of TV occur worldwide every year. In general, Africans or persons of African descent have an increased chance of having this condition, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
#5 Most men carry the parasite unaware, due to the fact that this condition in men may cause no symptoms. Women are most exposed to this condition, particularly after having completed their menstrual period.
#6 Women seeking care for vaginal discharge should be tested for TV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
#7 Pregnant women with this sexually transmitted infection are more likely to have low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds) or preterm babies. Other potential complications in females are – a higher chance of tubal infertility, post-hysterectomy infections, and cervical cancer. Complications for men include – inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) and inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis).
#8 Men commonly get trich just inside their penis in the urethra, however, sometimes they may get it in their prostate. Women regularly get it in their vagina, vulva, urethra, or cervix. It is quite rare for the parasite to infect other parts of the human body, like – the mouth, hands, or anus.
Symptoms
#9 Most sufferers with this condition do not have any signs and symptoms (approximately 7 out of 10 people). If they do get symptoms, these typically occur within 5 to 28 days after being infected.
#10 The most frequent symptoms among men include:
- swelling, soreness, and redness around the head of the foreskin (balanoposthitis) or penis (balanitis);
- a burning sensation, especially when passing urine;
- discharge from the penis that may be thin and whitish;
- the need to urinate more frequently than usual.
#11 Symptoms for women include:
- pain during urination;
- a frequent urge to urinate;
- genital itching;
- vaginal bleeding;
- yellow, green, gray, frothy, and bad-smelling vaginal discharge;
- itching and inflammation in and around the vagina;
- discomfort in the lower abdomen (rare);
- elevated vaginal pH in most females.
#12 Frequently, the signs and symptoms come and go, however, that doesn’t mean this sexually transmitted infection went away.
How Can You Get Trich?
#13 Humans are the only known host of this parasite. Transmission occurs via sexual intercourse. Usually, this parasite is passed between the vagina and the penis. Also, it is not necessary for a man to ejaculate to spread this infection.
#14 Fluids – vaginal lubrication, semen, menstrual blood, or discharge – passing from one partner to the other during anal or vaginal intercourse, can allow TV to travel from one partner to the other. Moreover, sharing sex toys or mutual masturbation can transmit TV.
Diagnosis
#15 It is based upon identifying TV through a microscopic examination of the urethral or vaginal discharge. This is the most effective test for TV.
#16 A culture test is another test for this sexually transmitted condition and can be used with females and males. This method uses urine from the urethra or vagina, and makes the TV easier to find by growing it in a lab.
Treatment
#17 If you are diagnosed with this infection, your doctor will give you a prescription for a specific antibiotic (most frequently tinidazole or metronidazole). Before taking these antibiotics, it is essential to let your healthcare professional know if there is any probability that you could be pregnant, due to the fact that these medicines could harm the unborn baby.
#18 It is vital that both partners are treated with antibiotics at the same time since an infected man can infect his sexual partner until he has been given the correct treatment.
#19 Do not consume alcoholic beverages for a minimum of 72 hours after taking tinidazole or 24 hours after taking metronidazole, because this may lead to some side effects, like – vomiting and severe nausea.
#20 If you take all of the antibiotic treatments, this condition is generally cured.
Prevention
#21 Condoms can considerably lower the risk of getting this sexual condition but must be appropriately used every single time you have sex. It is crucial for sexually active teens to understand the importance of using condoms, which can help reduce the risk of getting TS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Nevertheless, it is still possible to spread or get an STI even when using a condom.
#22 The best method to prevent TS is to have sex only with someone who’s not infected or not to have sex.
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References https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4755396/ https://journals.lww.com/stdjournal/Fulltext/2006/12000 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2319417016301809