Trichomoniasis is a very common sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by infection with a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Although symptoms of the infection vary, most people who have the parasite cannot tell they are infected. 

Also know as: Trich (pronounced Trick)

How You Get It:

• Vaginal, anal or oral sex and genital touching with someone who has trichomoniasis
• Skin-to-skin contact with the affected area

Symptoms:

• Many people have no symptoms
• Shows up 3-14 after infection
• Itching in the affected area
• Burning
• Irritation in the vagina
• Yellow, greenish, or gray discharge from the vagina
• Burning or pain when urinating
• A need to urinate more often
• A person can spread trichmoniasis before symptoms are present

Prevention: Trichomoniasis can be prevented by abstaining from sexual contact and close contact with an infected person and not participating in sexual contact and close contact with someone while trichomoniasis is still present. 

Testing: Trichomoniasis is diagnosed with a visual exam and laboratory testing. Some people are diagnosed when trichomoniasis is found in the lab while testing is being done for something else. 

Treatment:

• Easily treated and cured with antibiotics
• Avoid sexual contact until treatment is complete (about one week)
• Encourage your partner to go with you for testing and treatment. When that is not possible, Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) is available. EPT allows the person testing positive to get prescriptions for treatment for their sexual partner(s) without that person being tested.

If left untreated:

• Will continue to spread it to sex partners
• Increased risk for other sexually transmitted infections
• Infections of the prostate
• Babies born to mothers with trichomoniasis can be born premature and/or with low birth weight

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