October 1, 1999 Ebony Dickens bk.104

Trichomonas

Trichomonas is caused by infection with a flagellated protozoan, Trichomonas vaginalis. It is estimated that up to one in five sexually active women will contract trichomonas during her lifetime. Both men and women can carry the infection, although symptomatic infection is more common in women. Because trichomonas is sexually transmitted, male sexual partners must also be treated, even if asymptomatic and no infection is detected.

Trichomonas, like many other STDs, often occurs without any symptoms. Men almost never have symptoms. When women have symptoms, they usually appear within four to 20 days of exposure. The symptoms in women include a heavy, yellow-green or gray vaginal discharge, discomfort during intercourse, vaginal odor, and painful urination. Irritation and itching of the female genital area, and on rare occasions, lower abdominal pain also can be present. The symptoms in men, if present, include a thin, whitish discharge from the penis and painful or difficult urination.

Because men can transmit the disease to their sex partners even when symptoms are not present, it is preferable to treat both partners to eliminate the parasite. Metronidazole is the drug used to treat people with trichomonas. It usually is administered in a single dose. People taking this drug should not drink alcohol because mixing the two substances occasionally can cause severe nausea and vomiting. Trichomonas does not pose major long-term risks to the reproductive system and is curable if treated.

As with other diseases, trichomonas is spread through sexual contact. Using condoms or another barrier method provides some protection, as does knowing your partner's sexual history. Trichomonas can also survive on infected objects such as sheets and towels, and could possibly be transmitted by sharing those objects. It is especially important for the male partner to be treated, even though he is almost always asymptomatic.

In really bad cases, the thighs may become raw and infected. It gets worse during pregnancy and when a woman gets her period. There is a link between trichomonas and cervical cancer.

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