What is Trichomoniasis? Causes Diagnosis and Treatment

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that occurs when a person is infected by Trichomonas vaginalis, a unicellular flagellated microaerophilic parasite

Trichomonas vaginalis affects nearly 250 million people worldwide

Pathogen – Trichomonas vaginalis.

How is trichomoniasis spread?

Sexually active people can get Trichomonas vaginalis by having unprotected vaginal intercourse with with a partner who has Trichomonas vaginalis. In women, trichomoniasis affects the lower genital tract (vulva, urethra, vagina, or cervix). In men, the infection mostly affects the urethra.

The transmission of Trichomoniasis by oral or anal sex is considered rare but is theoretically possible.

What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis in women?

Vaginitis with a thin, white or yellowish-green, often foul-smelling discharge is the most prominent symptom. Other symptoms include: red, irritated genitals, pruritus, abdominal pain, burning, dysuria and dyspareunia.

In women, trichomoniasis can cause small red dots and bumps all over the cervix (The Strawberry cervix). Vulvar and cervical lesions are caused by the hemorrhaging of the small capillaries.

What is the incubation time trichomoniasis?

The incubation period for trichomoniasis ranges from 5 to 28 days.

How soon can you get tested for trichomoniasis?

When symptoms show up both women and men should get tested, symptoms of trichomoniasis usually show up within 5 to 28 days of infection.

What test is used to detect trichomonas?

To decide whether Trichomonas vaginalis is present in your body, your doctor will obtain specimen samples to examine them.

After the clinical examination, your doctor may need to take a swab from either the vagina, cervix or penis. A swab test is a non invasive procedure, in which a sample of fluid is obtained from the vagina or cervix (cervical or vaginal swab specimens), to check for the presence of  Trichomonas vaginalis. It may take 3 days for the results to come back.

In men, a sample of fluid is obtained from the urethra (urethral swab) to check for the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis. Additionally, a urine sample can also be used to test for trichomoniasis.

Trichomonas vaginalis RNA Qualitative TMA is considered the gold standard for detecting a trichomoniasis infection and can be used in people of all genders. It is used in the screening and diagnosis of trichomoniasis.

Trichomonas vaginalis RNA Qualitative TMA (Transcription-Mediated Amplification) assay ia a diagnostic nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) used to detect T. vaginalis RNA in urine samples (females or males), vaginal swabs (preferred), or endocervical swabs.

*To get rid of false negative test results it is advised to wait few days after unprotected sex before getting tested

How can trichomoniasis be treated at home?

Trichomoniasis is treated with antibiotics. Most people are prescribed Flagyl (metronidazole), patients usually have to take two 500 mg metronidazole tablets twice a day, for 5 to 7 days. Sometimes patients are prescribed four 500 mg tablets in a single dose.

Verified by: Dr.Diab (October 5, 2022)

Citation: Dr.Diab. (October 5, 2022). What is Trichomoniasis? Causes Diagnosis and Treatment. Medcoi Journal of Medicine, 6(2). urn:medcoi:article21051.