Doctor123.org

Trichomoniasis

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is trichomoniasis? " пїЅ Trichomoniasis is an infection that you can catch during sex. Infections that you can catch during sex are called "sexually transmitted infections. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

Both women and men can get trichomoniasis. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis? " пїЅ Some people with trichomoniasis have no symptoms. This is true for most men and some women. пїЅ пїЅ

In women, the symptoms of the infection include one or more of the following: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Vaginal discharge that smells bad and might be foamy and greenish-yellow ( "Vaginal discharge " пїЅ is the medical term to describe the small amount of fluid that comes out of the vagina.)
  • Itching of the vagina or the area around the vagina
  • Burning or pain during urination
  • Pain during sex

In men, the symptoms of the infection include: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Discharge from the penis
  • Burning or pain during urination

Should I see a doctor or nurse? " пїЅ Yes, you should see your doctor or nurse if you have any of the symptoms listed above. You should also see a doctor or nurse if any of your sexual partners have had trichomoniasis within the past few months. Even if you have no symptoms, you could be infected. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there a test for trichomoniasis? " пїЅ Yes. In women, the test involves doing a vaginal exam and taking a sample of vaginal discharge. In men, the doctor might test a sample of urine or discharge from the penis. пїЅ пїЅ

Your doctor might want to test you for other sexually transmitted infections, too. пїЅ пїЅ

How is trichomoniasis treated? " пїЅ Trichomoniasis is treated with medicine that comes in pills. There are 2 prescription medicines for trichomoniasis: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Metronidazole (sample brand name: Flagyl)
  • Tinidazole (brand name: Tindamax)

If you learn that you have trichomoniasis, you should contact all the people you have had sex with recently to let them know. Thats because they might have trichomoniasis, too. If they have trichomoniasis, they will need treatment even if they have no symptoms. If you are infected, anyone you have sex with should be treated at the same time. Otherwise, your sexual partner could infect you again after you are treated. пїЅ пїЅ

While you are getting treated for trichomoniasis, you should not have sex with anyone. Wait until you have taken all your medicine and have no more symptoms. пїЅ пїЅ

What happens if I don't get treated? " пїЅ If you don't get treatment for your trichomoniasis, your symptoms can get worse. Plus, you can keep spreading the infection to your sexual partners. You might also have a higher chance of getting the virus that causes AIDS. пїЅ пїЅ

Can trichomoniasis be prevented? " пїЅ You can lower your chances of getting trichomoniasis if you: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Use a condom every time you have sex.
  • Avoid sex when you or your partner has any symptoms that could be caused by an infection. These include itching, discharge, or pain with urination.

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 16999 Version 3.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

Copyright

пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ