Trichomoniasis is not chlamydia. Trichomoniasis is caused by the protozoan parasite, trichomonas vaginalis, whereas chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. The trichomonas infection affects genital organs, but chlamydia affects both respiratory and genital tracts.
What is trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is a common and curable sexually transmitted disease. The infection most commonly affects the lower genital tract (cervix, vulva, vagina, or urethra) of women. In men, the infection affects the urethra. The infection spreads through the semen or vaginal fluids but does not spread by hugging, kissing, sharing food, and sitting on the toilet seat.
Most people with trichomoniasis do not show any symptoms that make the infection spread quickly.
Trichomoniasis transmission
Trichomoniasis spreads via the semen and vaginal fluids during:
- Sexual intercourse
- Anal sex
- Oral sex
What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis?
Seventy percent of the people with trichomoniasis do not show any symptoms. The people usually exhibit symptoms one week after exposure to the infection.
The following are the few symptoms of trichomoniasis:
- Thin white, green, or yellow vaginal discharge with a foul odor
- Pain and swelling in the vaginal region
- Whitish discharge from the penis
- Crotch discomfort
- Painful and burning sensation during urination
- Pain during intercourse
- Pain during ejaculation
What are the risk factors for trichomoniasis?
The factors that increase the risk of trichomoniasis include:
- Multiple sex partners
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection
- Previous history of sexually transmitted infections
- A previous trichomoniasis episode
- Unprotected sex
How to diagnose trichomoniasis
Your doctor may order tests to examine a sample of vaginal fluid (women) or a urethral swab (men) under a microscope. If parasites are present, no further tests are required.
The diagnosis includes:
- Physical examination (includes an examination of the pelvis)
- Urine culture
- Genital swab test
- If swab tests do not show parasites, then:
- Rapid antigen test
- Nucleic acid amplification test
How is trichomoniasis treated?
The following treatment options for trichomoniasis include:
- Your provider might recommend several lower doses of metronidazole or tinidazole for about five to seven days.
- Refrain from sex until you and your partner(s) complete treatment.
- Even after receiving treatment, get tested again in three months.
SLIDESHOW
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Causes and Treatment See SlideshowWhat is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia may never cause noticeable symptoms. The symptoms of chlamydia vary both in men.
Symptoms of chlamydia in women
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Painful periods
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Itching and burning around the vagina
- Pain while urinating
- Painful sex
Symptoms of chlamydia in men
- Clear cloudy discharge at the tip of the penis
- Pain during urination
- Itching and burning around the penis
- Pain and swelling in the testicles
Transmission of chlamydia
It is transmitted through:
- Unprotected sex
- Oral sex
- Anal sex
- A pregnant woman can pass the infection to the baby during the delivery
- Even those who have previously had the infection and successfully undergone treatment are susceptible to contracting chlamydia
Risk factors of chlamydia
- Not consistently using barrier methods of protection, such as condoms, with new sexual partners
- Having multiple sex partners
Treatment of chlamydia
- Treated using oral antibiotics, such as azithromycin and doxycycline
- Women with severe chlamydia infection may require hospitalization, and the antibiotics are administered intravenously.
- You should avoid sexual contact until you have finished your treatment.
Medically Reviewed on 12/21/2022
References
Image Source: iStock image
Chlamydia. https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/chlamydia#2
Trichomoniasis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trichomoniasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378609
Trichomoniasis. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4696-trichomoniasis
Chlamydia. https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/chlamydia#2
Trichomoniasis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trichomoniasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378609
Trichomoniasis. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4696-trichomoniasis
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