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Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. This disease is passed from genital to genital — the parasite does not commonly infect the anus, hands or mouth. About 3.7 million individuals in the United States have trichomoniasis, according to the CDC.
Many individuals with trichomoniasis do not have symptoms — only about 30 percent of infected persons display symptoms, noted the CDC. For individuals who do have symptoms, they tend to start 5 to 28 days after the infection.
Women with trichomoniasis may have vaginal discharge with a foul smell. This discharge may appear yellow-green and frothy. Discomfort may occur when urinating or having sex.
Other symptoms of trichomoniasis include itching and irritation in the genital region. In rare cases, patients have lower abdominal pain, stated WomensHealth.gov.
Treatment for trichomoniasis is a single dose of either tinidazole or metronidazole. Both are antibiotic medications.
People who have had trichomoniasis can be re-infected. The CDC noted than 20 percent of people get the sexually transmitted disease again within three months.
References
WomensHealth.gov. Trichomoniasis Fact Sheet. Web. 22 March 2012.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/trichomoniasis.cfm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trichomoniasis. Web. 22 March 2012
http://www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas/stdfact-trichomoniasis.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Web. 22 March 2012
http://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm
WomensHealth.gov. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Web. 22 March 2012
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/pelvic-inflammatory-disease.cfm
Reviewed March 22, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith
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