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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffTrichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that in women can cause a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching and painful urination. Men who have trichomoniasis typically have no symptoms. Pregnant women who have trichomoniasis are at higher risk of delivering prematurely.
To prevent reinfection with the organism that causes trichomoniasis, both partners should be treated. The most common treatment for trichomoniasis involves taking one megadose of metronidazole (Flagyl). You can reduce your risk of infection by using condoms correctly every time you have sex.
References
- Eckert LO, et al. Vaginitis. Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/168081625-3/0/1524/148.html?tocnode=53759486&fromURL=148.html. Accessed Jan. 10, 2012.
- Weller PF. Protozoal intestinal infections and trichomoniasis. In: Longo DL, et al. Harrison's Online. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=9125604. Accessed Jan. 10, 2012.
- John CC, et al. Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis). In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0755-7..00276-1&isbn=978-1-4377-0755-7&sid=1252646240&uniqId=311328796-5#4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0755-7..00276-1. Accessed Jan. 10, 2012.
- Trichomoniasis fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/STD/Trichomonas/STDFact-Trichomoniasis.htm. Accessed Jan. 3, 2012.
- Bachman LH, et al. Trichonomas vaginalis genital infections: Progress and challenges. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2011;53:S160.
- Harp DF, et al. Trichomoniasis: Evaluation to execution. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2011;157:3.
- Moon KT. Rapid antigen testing vs. wet mount for detecting T. vaginalis. American Family Physician. 2008;77:686.
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