Trichomoniasis facts
Signs and symptoms
- Most men, and many women, have no symptoms.
- Symptoms in women usually appear between 5 and 28 days of exposure.
- Yellow-green vaginal discharge Men may have a discharge from their penis.
- Discomfort while peeing.
- Irritation or itching around the vagina.
- Lower abdominal pain (women).
Transmission
- Vaginal sex.
Prevention
- Abstain from vaginal sex.
- Use condoms/barriers consistently and correctly during oral, anal or vaginal sex.
- Get early treatment for STDs.
- Get an infected partner treated.
- If a partner has trich, do not have sex until they complete treatment.
Treatment
- See a health care provider for exam and tests to figure out the best treatment.
- Treatment includes medicines prescribed by a health care provider.
- Sexual partners should get treated, too.
If not treated...
- May increase risk for getting HIV.
- May increase risk of passing HIV to a partner if you are HIV positive.
If you have trichomoniasis...
- Refrain from vaginal sex.
- Seek medical care, including STD tests.
- Do not have sex until you have completed treatment.
- Take all medicines prescribed, even if your symptoms are gone.
- Re-test in 3 months.
- Make sure all recent sex partners are treated.
- Get yearly STD screens if sexually active.
- If you are pregnant, get tested for STDs and HIV.
Resources
For patients: