Courtney Booth by Courtney Booth

It’s the most common nonviral sexually transmitted infection globally, and is curable.

cbooth7592_ — 2023-11-26 09:24:33 UTC

How is it spread and what is it?

cbooth7592_ — 2023-11-26 09:26:31 UTC

Trich spreads during sexual intercourse — in semen and vaginal fluids. Its name comes from the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, which causes the infection.

What are the symptoms?

cbooth7592_ — 2023-11-26 09:40:47 UTC

You can have trich and not know it -up to 70% of people have no symptoms from the infection. However, when symptoms do appear, they vary depending on sex. For males symptoms may include a froth-like discharge from the penis, burning after ejaculating, painful urination, and/or irritation or itching inside the penis. For women symptoms may include thin (or sometimes foamy) white, yellow, or greenish vaginal discharge that has a bad odor, irritation, soreness, or redness around the opening of the vagina, and/or pain or discomfort during intercourse or when urinating.

Does it have an effect on newborns or expectant mothers?

cbooth7592_ — 2023-11-26 09:55:12 UTC

While there are no known direct negative implications while pregnant or breastfeeding, left untreated, trich increases your risk of premature labor and low birth weight in the newborn.

How is it diagnosed?

cbooth7592_ — 2023-11-26 10:02:54 UTC

Diagnosis of Trichomoniasis may include a physical exam and/or lab tests. For women, the physical exam would include a pelvic exam. The lab tests would entail the doctor looking at a sample of the vaginal or penile discharge under a microscope to see if there are trichomonads visible.

Are there any possible long-term effects from this STI?

cbooth7592_ — 2023-11-26 10:06:54 UTC

Because Trich is curable, there are no long term effects from the infection, though, left untreated it can cause a higher susceptibility to HIV.

What is the treatment?

cbooth7592_ — 2023-11-26 10:12:14 UTC

Oral antibiotics prescribed by a doctor kill the virus. Once diagnosed, abstain while medicating, and for at least one week after finishing the medication. Both partners should be treated to prevent reinfection.

Is Trich preventable?

cbooth7592_ — 2023-11-26 10:17:27 UTC

Absolutely, there are several ways to avoid getting trich. Using condoms, avoiding having multiple sex partners, and getting tested regularly for all STIs are a few.