Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Caused by

Trichomonas

Trichomonas

• STD caused by a Protozoa• Organism: Trichomonas vaginalis• Location: Vagina in women and urethra in

men

Symptoms of Trichomonas

• Most men and some women have NO symptoms. They are infected and don’t know it.

• Many infected women have a frothy, yellow-green vaginal discharge with a strong odor

How is Trichomonas Spread?

Skin to skin contact during vaginal

intercourse

Is Trichomonas Serious?

• In pregnant women, it can cause premature delivery

• Increases the risk of getting HIV infection

Is Trichomonas Common?

• 5,000,000 NEW cases each year in the U.S.• Total number of currently infected people

unknown

How is Trichomonas Diagnosed?

• Pelvic exam• Laboratory tests on the vaginal fluid or

urethral fluid

Trichomonas Protozoa

Treatment of Trichomoniasis

• Treat with oral antibiotics• Treat sexual partners• If your sexual partner is not treated, you can

get re-infected

Can Trichomonas be Prevented?

• Condoms have not been proven to greatly reduce the transmission

• Abstinence is 100% effective

Trichomonas: Summary

• Can be spread through skin to skin contact during vaginal intercourse

• Millions in the U.S. are infected• Treatment is available

References• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of

Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Trichomoniasis Fact Sheet . Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/Fact_Sheets/FactsTrichomoniasis.htm Accessed October 31, 2002.

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. National Center for Infectious Diseases. Division of Parasitic Diseases. Trichomonas. Available at http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/Trichomoniasis.htm Accessed October 31, 2002.

• Society of Health Advisers in Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Trichomonas. Available at http://www.shastd.org.uk/sti/trichomo.htm Accessed November 6, 2002.