Trichomoniasis is called an infectious disease that affects the genitourinary system.
This happens due to infection of the body with a parasite. This is a vaginal or vaginal trichomonas. Infection is often manifested by colpitis, proctitis, cystitis, urethritis. There are other genital diseases with trichomoniasis such as candidiasis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea. How trichomoniasis is transmitted, we will understand in this article.
If the stage of the disease is acute, then in men, urination becomes painful, in women it burns and itches in the vagina, and a large amount of discharge appears.
Possible complications
Without timely and effective therapy, the transition of trichomoniasis into a chronic form is not ruled out. This may lead to the following complications in the future:
- to congenital pathologies;
- prostatitis
- complications during pregnancy and childbirth;
- infertility
- of death.
Most often, the infection settles in the urethra, vagina, cervical canal, ovaries and appendages in a woman. And a man has seminal vesicles, an urethra, and a prostate. A woman suffers from this disease, transmitted through sexual contact, more often than a man. But this is only due to the fact that the infection is detected more often. In women, the symptoms are more pronounced, and they also regularly undergo preventive examinations by doctors. The most common age is 17-36 years, at which trichomoniasis is detected. As transmitted, we will consider further.
Trichomonads in the male half do not manifest themselves. Since there are no symptoms, the male carrier often infects his partner. After all, he does not have discomfort and discomfort.
Non-gonococcal urethritis, epidymitis and chronic prostatitis may occur against the background of trichomoniasis. All this affects the ability of a man to conceive a child. Spermatozoa under the influence of Trichomonas become less mobile and viable.
Allergies, diabetes, oncological diseases and mastopathy due to infection of the body with trichomoniasis are also not ruled out.
To minimize infection, you need to know how trichomoniasis is transmitted.
What features does trichomonas have?
Trichomonas is a unicellular anaerobic microorganism from the flagellate family.
Three types of Trichomonas can be found in the human body:
- intestinal;
- oral;
- vaginal is the most pathogenic, active and largest.
Flagella help Trichomonas move. At an ideal temperature for them, 36-37 degrees multiply. At the same time, they do not need oxygen. The parasite attaches to the mucosa, after which inflammation begins. They secrete toxins, which leads to a weakening of the body.
Pathogens are filled with blood flow. Thanks to the intercellular space and lymphatic paths, they penetrate there. So trichomoniasis progresses. Whether it is transmitted is of interest to many.
What determines the fitness of Trichomonas?
The ability to parasitize in the human body in Trichomonas is extremely high, because it occurs:
- evasion of the parasite from the action of immune cells;
- change of form;
- masking for lymphocytes and platelets (therefore, diagnosis is difficult to carry out).
So it is extremely difficult to deal with trichomonads, even despite the fact that medicines and methods of therapy are constantly being improved.
Due to the lack of response from the nonprotein membrane of the parasite to antibacterial drugs, treatment is carried out with antiprotozoal drugs.
That is why knowledge of how trichomoniasis is transmitted is of great importance.
How is Trichomonas transmitted?
Not always the cause of infection is sexual contact. Modern research has refuted this fact. You can become infected not only during a sexual act, but also in domestic conditions. There are a large number of opportunities to enter the human body in a parasite. Therefore, for prevention, it is necessary to have information on how trichomoniasis is transmitted.
The most basic is sexual transmission. Moreover, sex should be unprotected (that is, without a condom, which can also be substandard and tear).
Through the blood
The blood of an infected person is contagious, so any contact with it leads to the transmission of trichomoniasis. This happens quite rarely, most often randomly. A kiss in the presence of microcracks on the oral mucosa can be dangerous.
Trichomoniasis is also transmitted orally. The parasite is present in female vaginal discharge, therefore oral sex is dangerous. Contact with the partner's sperm often leads to infection, and it is not necessary to have sex, it is enough to randomly touch it during interrupted intercourse.
In childbirth
The delivery process can lead to infection of the baby from the mother. This is a very common method. Therefore, all infections must be treated before delivery.
In utero, the infection is also transmitted, because the fetus is associated with the mother, which leads to invasion.
Trichomonas in saliva
Trichomoniasis is transmitted through saliva.
Foreign dishes - a source of infection. It must be washed well so that there is no saliva left. In this way, Trichomonas can also penetrate the human body precisely during a meal from such dishes. Catering establishments can serve as a potential source of trichomoniasis.
Trichomoniasis is transmitted by domestic means - this must be remembered.
Other methods of infection
Another disease can be obtained in the following ways:
- When using someone else's towel.
- When swimming in the pools - a certificate of the health status of visitors in commercial establishments is not always asked.
- When visiting a public bath or sauna.
- When going to the public toilet. Cleaning is not always timely, high-quality and frequent.
In moist and dark places, the infection most often lives. The temperature is usually low. If the heat in the street is about 30-40 degrees, then this leads to the death of pathogenic microorganisms.
Infection prevention
It is important to understand that a person does not yet have the ability to develop antibodies to this serious disease. Even if trichomoniasis was and has fully recovered, it cannot be guaranteed that there will be no re-infection.
Basically, of course, trichomoniasis is transmitted sexually. One sexual partner and protection guarantee a reduced risk of getting sick. You must also follow the rules of personal and household hygiene. Dishes should be separate, and this also applies to washcloths, linen, and other items and personal items. The use of antiseptic agents (Miramistin, Chlorhexidine) after sexual contact can be effective. But, of course, this does not guarantee that infection will not happen.
There is a category of people who are at risk - drug addicts, people with a gay orientation, prostitutes. Contacts with them are best avoided.
When the first suspicious symptoms appear, it is necessary to warn your sexual partner. Then consult a specialist immediately. Fear of telling the truth, some kind of embarrassment make people hope for self-healing, just not to go to the doctor. This is wrong, since trichomoniasis will not leave the body itself, it will progress, and this can lead to disastrous consequences, even death. No need to be afraid or shy.
Therapy
What is the treatment for this disease? First of all, when trichomoniasis is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics. "Trichopolum" and "Nystatin" are appointed very often. But antibacterial drugs may not be enough, therefore, antiprotozoal agents are used. "Metronidazole", "Tinidazole" are referred to as such medicines. Supportive therapy is also needed - physiotherapy, immunotherapy, urethral instillation, prostate massage in men.
In addition, the use of local medicines - vaginal suppositories, tablets, and douching will be effective. This will help relieve acute symptoms, make you feel better, but will not completely cure trichomoniasis.