Trichomoniasis

Definition
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. The parasite is most often affects women, but men can become infected and transmit to their partners through sexual contact. The vagina is the most frequent site of infection in women, while the urethra (urinary tract) is the most common site of infection in men.
Symptom
In women, who were attacked primarily the vaginal wall, can be acute or chronic. In acute cases of vaginal secretions appear thick turbid yellowish, yellow green, smells bad and frothy. Vaginal walls appear reddish and swollen. Also obtained itching and heat in the vagina. Pain during sexual intercourse may also be a major complaint of perceived patient with trichomoniasis. Patients with trichomoniasis may also experience post-coital bleeding and lower abdominal pain. When secretions are many who come out, can arise irritation in the groin or around the lips of the vagina. In chronic cases, symptoms are milder and usually do not frothy vaginal secretions.
Unlike the women, the men usually do not give symptoms. Even if there are, in general, milder symptoms than women. Symptoms include irritation inside the penis, murky liquid out but not much, heartburn and pain after urinating or after ejaculation.

Figure 1. Picture of vaginal secretions in patients with Trichomoniasis

Treatment
The most effective treatment for trichomoniasis is metronidazole with oral medication. The dose is usually 2 g single dose or 500 milligrams twice daily for seven days. This drug should not be given if the patient is pregnant the first 3 months because of its effect on the fetus. In these circumstances, patients may be using drugs clotrimazole, which its use is inserted into the vagina.
Symptoms of trichomoniasis in infected men will usually disappear within a few weeks without treatment. However, the infected men, although it is never to give any symptoms or symptoms are absent, can continue to infect their sexual partners be treated until he finished. Therefore, both sexual partners should be treated at once to stop the spread of the disease. Patients who are treated are advised not to have sexual intercourse during treatment and before declared cured. People who have trichomoniasis do not protect people exposed to not exposed to anymore. Although treatment is successful, the person can become infected again.
Epidemiology
The incidence in the United States approximately 7.4 million new cases each year. The exact number is difficult to obtain because most of these cases go unreported or undiagnosed. Globally, WHO estimates there are about 180 million new cases each year worldwide. While prevalence rates vary from 5% in family planning clinic clients up to 75% in sex workers. Trichomoniasis has a combined infection rate is quite high with other infectious diseases, such as with gonorrhea, which is known to be significantly associated with trichomoniasis infection. Trichomoniasis also facilitate the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Trichomoniasis is found both in men and women, but more often found in women.
Cause
Trichomoniasis is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. The parasite is spread through sexual contact with someone who has been affected by this disease. Trichomoniasis attack (urethra) urinary tract in men, but usually without symptoms, whereas in women, more often attacked vaginal trichomoniasis. The risk for this disease depends on the person's sexual activity. Several risk factors for developing this disease include:
• The number of sexual partners during their lives
• Sexual partners currently
• Not wearing a condom during intercourse
Prevention
Because trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease, the best way to avoid it is not sexual intercourse. Some ways to reduce transmission of this disease include:
• Use of condoms can reduce the risk of contracting this disease.
• No borrowing personal tools such as a towel because this parasite can live outside the human body for 45 minutes.
• Clean yourself immediately after swimming in public baths.

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