|
Other name |
Trich. |
|
Cause |
A protozoan (single celled organism)
called Trichomonas vaginalis. |
|
Distribution |
Worldwide |
|
Transmission |
- Sexual
- Non-sexual - Occasionally, it
may betransmitted by wet objects such as towels, bathing suits
and douching equipment.
|
|
Incubation |
4 - 20 days. |
|
Symptoms |
In women,
- Profuse greenish yellow frothy
discharge.
- Staining of the underwear.
- Vaginal soreness.
- Painful urination.
- No symptoms.
In men,
- Slight itching of the penis.
- Painful urination.
- Clear discharge.
- No symptoms (the majority). |
|
Diagnosis |
- Microscopic exanmination of secretions
- Culture.
|
|
Treatment |
Metronidazole by mouth (avoid
alcohol because it causes nausea when taken with this drug). |
|
Complications |
None. |
|
Comments |
Treatment is routinely given to
the male partner to reduce the risk of reinfection in women. |
