Medical Health Encyclopedia

Trichomoniasis


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Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)
Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)
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Alternative Names

Trichomonas vaginitis; STD - trichomonas vaginitis; STI - trichomonas vaginitis; Sexually transmitted infection - trichomonas vaginitis


Treatment

The antibiotic metronidazole is commonly used to cure the infection. A newer drug, called Tinidazole may be used.

You should not drink alcohol while taking the medicine and for 48 hours afterwards. Doing so can cause severe nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.

Avoid sexual intercourse until treatment has been completed. Sexual partners should be treated at the same time, even if they have no symptoms.


Support Groups


Expectations (prognosis)




With proper treatment, the outcome is likely to be excellent.


Complications

Long-term infection may cause changes in the tissue on the cervix. These changes may be seen on a routine Pap smear. In such cases, treatment should be started and the Pap smear repeated 3 to 6 months later.

Treatment of trichomoniasis helps prevents the spread of the disease to sexual partners. Trichomoniasis is common among persons with HIV.


Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if any unusual vaginal discharge or irritation is noted.

Also call for an appointment if you suspect that you have been exposed to the disease.



Review Date: 09/11/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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