Frequently Asked Questions
TRICHOMONIASIS

What is TRICHOMONIASIS?				Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted 	
						disease (STD) that affects both women and men. 	
						Symptoms are more common in women. 

What causes trichomoniasis?			Trichomoniasis is caused by the single-celled 	
						protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. The vagina 
						is the most common site of infection in women. The 
						urethra is the most common site of infection in men.

How do people					Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease that is 
get trichomoniasis?				spread through vaginal intercourse or genital contact 
						with an infected partner.  Women can acquire the 	
						disease from infected men or women, whereas men 
						usually contract it only from infected women.

How common is					Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STD in 
trichomoniasis?					young, sexually active women. An estimated 5 million 
						new cases occur each year in women and men.

What are the signs				Most men with trichomoniasis do not have signs or             
and symptoms					symptoms. Men with symptoms may have an irritation 
of trichomoniasis?				inside the penis, mild discharge, or slight burning after 
						urination or ejaculation.
						Some women have signs or symptoms of infection 	
						marked by a frothy, yellow-green vaginal discharge 	
						with a strong odor. The infection also may cause 	
						discomfort during intercourse and urination, as well as 
						irritation and itching of the female genital area. In rare 
						cases, lower abdominal pain can occur. Symptoms 	
						usually appear in women within 5 to 28 days of 	
						exposure. 

How is trichomoniasis				For both men and women, a health care provider must 
diagnosed?					perform a physical examination and laboratory test to 
						diagnose trichomoniasis. The parasite is harder to 	
						detect in men than in women. In women, a pelvic 	
						examination can reveal small red ulcerations (sores) on 
						the vaginal wall or cervix. Laboratory tests are 	
						performed on a sample of vaginal fluid or urethral fluid 
						to look for the disease-causing parasite.

What is the treatment 				Trichomoniasis can usually be cured with the            
for trichomoniasis?				prescription drug Metronidazole given orally in a single 
						dose. The symptoms of trichomoniasis in infected men 
						may disappear within a few weeks without treatment. 
						However, an infected man, even a man who has never 
						had symptoms or whose symptoms have stopped, can 
						continue to infect a female partner until he is treated. 
						Therefore, both partners should be treated at the same 
						time to eliminate the parasite. Persons being treated for 
						trichomoniasis should avoid sex until they and their sex 
						partners complete treatment and have no symptoms. 
						Pregnant women can take Metronidazole. 

Who is at risk					Any sexually active person can be infected with 	 
for trichomoniasis?				trichomoniasis.

What are the complications			Trichomoniasis in pregnant women may cause           
of trichomoniasis?				premature rupture of the membranes and preterm 	
						delivery. The genital inflammation caused by 	
						trichomoniasis might also increase a woman's risk of 
						acquiring HIV infection if she is exposed to HIV. 	
						Trichomoniasis in a woman who is also infected with 
						HIV can increase the chances of transmitting HIV 	
						infection to a sex partner.

How can trichomoniasis 				The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually       
be prevented?					transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual contact, 
						or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous 	
						relationship with a partner who has been tested and is 
						known to be uninfected. 
						Latex or polyurethane male condoms, when used 	
						consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of 	
						transmission to trichomoniasis. 

For more information:				Call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 
						1-800-232-4636, TTY: 1-888-232-6348 in English and
						Spanish.  



Contact Number: STD Program, (302) 744-1050
Revised: 11/2009   Doc. # 35-05-20/09/11/09