Trichomoniasis is an infection that is transmitted through sexual activity. It is caused by a single celled parasite that causes genital inflammation. It may also result in the inflammation of urinary tracts. This infection can affect both men and women but women are more vulnerable to this infection. Men do not pose noticeable symptoms for this infection. However, women have a tendency to show symptoms of the infection.
Symptoms of Trichomoniasis in Women
As mentioned above, men are more vulnerable to this infection. Trichomoniasis symptoms usually appear within 5-28 days of getting infected by the parasite. Significant symptoms may take more than about six months to develop.
If you are a woman and suffering Trichomoniasis, you may develop a yellowish-green or gray discharge from vagina. This discharge is usually frothy or bubbly. It is also accompanied by fishy smell. Sometimes traces of blood may also be found in the discharge.
Vagina may appear redder due to swollen labia. Other symptoms include pain during urination and sexual intercourse and sudden lower abdominal pain.
Symptoms of Trichomoniasis in Men
Generally, men do not show any Trichomoniasis symptoms. Only about 40 percent of men may experience mild symptoms such as a tingling sensation inside penis, painful urination and ejaculation.
34. Trichomoniasis and medical testsTrichomoniasis falls under the category of sexually transmitted disease. It is also known as “Trich”. It is a common cause of vaginitis. This disease is caused by an attack of Trichomonas vaginalis. It is a single celled protozoan parasite. In women a common infection site is the vagina and urethra region. There are many tests to diagnose the presence of Trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis is commonly found in women and is some rare cases even men carry the infection. A pelvic examination in woman can unveil ulcerations on the vagina wall or at cervix which are small and red in color. A wet swab which is swept over the cervix of the woman is placed on a slide which contains salt solution and is then examined under microscope. Physical examination of genital area can also be helpful in detecting the infection. This examination should be followed by wet mount test or a culture test or a vaginal pH test. Any one of these tests has to be performed for diagnosis. For men diagnosis is done by the doctor by checking the patient’s penis for any signs of infection. The thin whitish liquid which is discharged from the penis of men is then placed on wet mount and examined.
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