Transmission modes
Trichomonas is transmitted:
- by vaginal, oral and/or anal sexual contact
- during childbirth (from mother to child)
Symptoms
Symptoms of a trichomonas infection usually appear between 5 and 28 days after infection.
In women, trichomoniasis is rarely dangerous, but its symptoms can be very unpleasant for those in whom they occur:
change in the texture and smell of vaginal discharge (fishy smell, thicker,...)
- itching
- pain during sex
- burning sensation
- pain when urinating
Men are do not show any symptoms in 90% of cases. But if the parasite causes an infection, it manifests itself as pain when urinating.
Consequences if undetected and untreated
The presence of trichomonas can increase the risk of contracting or transmitting other STIs. The genital inflammation it causes greatly increases the risk of being infected with or transmitting HIV!
In pregnant women, the presence of trichomonas infection can cause premature deliveries.
Screening
Trichomoniasis often has no symptoms in men, and sometimes not in women either (20% of cases), which makes it easy to infect.
Screening is therefore essential in case of unprotected sex! It can be done as early as the fifth day after infection.
Screening is done by vaginal and urethral smear in women by the gynaecologist and by a urine sample in men by the doctor or urologist.
Treatment
Trichomoniasis is easily treated with an antiparasitic tablet . Remember to have your partner treated at the same time, otherwise you risk re-infection afterwards!
Note: Trichomoniasis treatment is contraindicated for pregnant women. Young mothers should not breastfeed for 24 hours after the end of the treatment.
Protection
Trichomonas is a parasite, there is no vaccine to protect protect against it. The only known way to avoid contamination is to usea condom (internal or external) during sex.
