VAGINAL INFECTION TRICHOMONIASIS

VAGINAL INFECTION TRICHOMONIASIS

Overview and Facts

Vaginal infection trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. It causes a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching, and painful urination for women. Also, pregnant women who have trichomoniasis are at high risk of delivering premature babies.

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by parasites. The parasites spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. The most affected are women than men. It is treated with antibiotics, but several women have no symptoms. To prevent reinfection of trichomoniasis, the partners should use condoms correctly every sexual intercourse. If this infection is left untreated, it can cause HIV.

The Causes of Vaginal Infection Trichomoniasis

A type of tiny parasite that travels between people during sex called one-celled protozoan is one of the causes of Vaginal Infection Trichomoniasis. The incubation period between exposure and infection is not clear.

Risk factors

Risk factors include having:

  • Numerous sexual partners
  • History of other sexually transmitted infections
  • The previous episode of trichomoniasis
  • Having sex without a condom

Complications

Pregnant women who have vaginal infection trichomoniasis will result in: 

  • Premature delivery
  • Baby with a low birth weight
  • Transmitting the infection to the baby as he or she passes through the birth canal

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

The most common symptoms for women are the following:

  • vaginal discharge that is white, gray, yellow, or green with an unpleasant smell
  • vaginal spotting or bleeding
  • genital itching or burning 
  • genital redness or swelling 
  • frequent urination 
  • pain during urination or sexual intercourse

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

 Vaginal infection trichomoniasis is diagnosed by:

  • Examining the sample of vaginal fluid or urine.
  • No further tests are needed if the parasites are seen under the microscope.
  • Rapid antigen tests and nucleic acid amplification is used.

TREATMENT

The most common treatments for vaginal infection trichomoniasis are:

  • For women or pregnant women, swallow one megadose of either metronidazole or tinidazole.
  • For other cases, the doctor will recommend a lower dose of metronidazole twice a day for one week.
  • Avoid sexual intercourse until the infection is cured.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours after taking metronidazole or 72 hours after taking tinidazole because it will result in severe nausea and vomiting.
  • The doctor will retest you for the infection after two weeks up to three months after the treatment to ensure you are reinfected.

Take note, trichomoniasis who left untreated lasts for months to years.

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