Trichomoniasis: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment Of This STD
Although today there is a large amount of information regarding sexually transmitted diseases and infections, these types of disorders continue to be spectacularly frequent in the population around the world.
Some, such as HIV-AIDS, remain an epidemic that ends or greatly alters the lives of millions of people and for which there is no curative treatment. Fortunately, others can be cured, although they are often socially undervalued. One of the latter is trichomoniasis which we are going to mention throughout this article.
Trichomoniasis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (or STDs) despite not being one of the best known at a social level.
This disease is caused by a parasitic protozoan that is transmitted through vaginal sex and infects the genitourinary tract. Trichomoniasis may or may not have obvious symptoms, and it can often go unnoticed by the person in question. In fact, this is what happens in around seven out of ten cases.
Between the infection or contagion and the onset of possible symptoms there is an incubation period of between five and twenty-eight days. It can appear in both men and women, although in the former it is usually asymptomatic. Symptoms are often so mild that they are confused with other problems, and they may come and go intermittently.
When symptoms do occur, it should be taken into account that, first of all, one of the possible alterations generated by this disease is the appearance of inflammations such as vulvitis, vaginitis or urethritis it is also common for abnormal secretions to appear.
In women, it is common for trichomoniasis to cause discomfort, burning and pain in the genitals when urinating or having sexual relations, along with possible secretions that are generally greenish or yellowish in color and have a foul odor. Dysuria or difficulty urinating, bleeding, and macules on the surface of the vagina also occur.
In the case of men, in the few cases where symptoms occur, pain and burning appear when urinating or ejaculating, difficulties urinating or dysuria, and the need to urinate many times during the morning. Purulent secretions may also appear from the penis. Occasionally it can cause inflammation of the prostate
Possible complications
In any case and especially in the case of women, trichomoniasis can have relevant repercussions for health.
In pregnant women it has been seen that it can cause prematurity and low weight in the newborn, and the disease can even be transmitted to the fetus.
Likewise, and in both sexes, it facilitates the appearance of wounds and the transmission or contagion of other venereal diseases, including HIV. In fact, it is not uncommon for this infection to appear together with others such as gonorrhea.
Causes and transmission of this disease
Trichomoniasis is a disease caused by the infestation of a parasitic protozoan called Trichomonas vaginalis and is contracted through unprotected sexual relations.
Generally the parasite is transmitted through vaginal penetration. It is not limited only to sex between heterosexual people, and can also be transmitted during relationships between people of the same sex (it can also pass from vulva to vulva without penetration). It can also be transmitted by sharing sex toys or by manipulating one’s own or another’s genitals after touching infected fluids.
However, it is at least uncommon for the infection to be transmitted through anal or oral sex, generally not affecting the mouth or anus. Casual contact, sitting in the same sink, eating or drinking from glass, or contact with saliva through kisses or sneezes are also not ways of transmitting this disease.
In addition to all of the above, it must be taken into account that It is very simple and common for a person with this disease to infect their partner, and that even if it is treated, it can be reinfected by it. In this sense, it is essential that when trichomoniasis is detected, both the person and his or her sexual partners are treated.
Treatment
Trichomoniasis is fortunately a disease that has effective treatment and is easily curable. Specifically, This treatment is based on the prescription and taking of antibiotics
One of the most common is tinidazole, which eliminates and prevents the multiplication of the protozoan that causes the disease (it is also used in other venereal diseases). The other is metronidazole, which can be prescribed in cream or tablet form. There are versions in which one dose of the drug is enough, although daily doses may be required. Generally, the disease subsides about a week after starting the treatment, although improvement in symptoms can be seen as early as the second day.
As we have indicated previously, it is essential that the treatment be carried out by both members of the couple at the same time. Sexual contact should be avoided until the disappearance of the causative microorganism is observed Also the consumption of alcohol and other substances, since they interfere with the functioning of the drug.
