Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a microscopic parasite, often found also in the vagina or urethral tissues. It affects both men and women, but symptoms occur more frequently in women. It is the most common and treatable sexually transmitted disease among sexually active young men and women. Here is a list of symptoms to look for in humans if a Trichomonas infection is suspected.
Steps
Step 1. If you have had sex with someone with Trichomonas, then you are also at risk
Always practice safe sex and adopt adequate personal hygiene.
Step 2. Most men infected with Trichomonas show no symptoms
Step 3. When symptoms are present, you may experience the presence of:
- Urethral secretions
- Semen with a strong fishy smell
- Pain when urinating or ejaculating
- Irritation inside the penis
- Less often, pain and swelling of the scrotum
Advice
- Although the infection is more difficult to diagnose in humans, there are adequate laboratory tests to detect its presence. See your doctor if you think you have one.
- If you know your partner is infected, it is important that both of you are treated, even if you don't have any symptoms.
- Trichomoniasis is usually treated with drugs
- Try not to have too many sexual partners
- Even if the symptoms go away in a few weeks without drug treatment, it's important to understand that you can still re-infect your partner.
- Here's what to do to avoid contagion.
- Practice abstinence
- Maintain a long-term, monogamous relationship with a healthy partner.
- Use a condom
- Refrain from sexual intercourse if your partner experiences unusual vaginal discharge
- Wash before and after intercourse
- If a woman is infected with HIV and trichomonas, this increases the chance that her partner will be infected with HIV
- If left untreated, trichomoniasis can infect the urinary tract and reproductive system.
