Sexually transmitted diseases, unfortunately, are more and more common. The reasons for this may be different. However, the main one is a frivolous attitude to their hygiene and health. Very often, for example, an infection such as Trichomonas vaginalis occurs. It is considered quite dangerous, since it does not appear immediately.
general characteristics
Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic microorganism that causes a complex disease - trichomoniasis. It should be noted that it is easier to find it in men than in women. This pathogen is not a bacterium, so antibiotic treatment is almost pointless. The secrecy of the course of this pathology is very dangerous not only for health, but also for the life of the patient.
Recent medical studies have shown that Trichomonas vaginalis in men is not quite typical. Most often, this microorganism is found in the vagina of girls, the urethra or prostate gland of guys. At the same time, Trichomonas is able to move very quickly. You can destroy it with the help of heating or direct ultraviolet rays. It should be noted that a person does not have immunity to this parasite.
The causative agent can live outside the body for only a few hours, so infection by airborne droplets is excluded. However, this does not mean that obtaining pathology is difficult.
Causes of infection and transmission
Trichomonas vaginalis is an insidious enemy that can be transmitted from person to person through traditional or oral sexual contact. You can still get an infection through general hygiene items (dirty towels or washcloths), medical instruments. Pathology can be transmitted even with ordinary touch to a person. Infection of newborns from a sick mother is often seen.
There are such reasons for the development of a subsequent disease:
1. Indiscrimination in sexual partners, their frequent change. Especially dangerous are random unprotected communications.
2. Unfair attitude to personal hygiene. After visiting public places, try to wash thoroughly using antibacterial agents.
3. Poor medical care. Here, everything remains only on the conscience of the doctor, who did not disinfect the instruments.
4. Dysfunctional lifestyle.
Naturally, Trichomonas vaginalis infection can occur in any person. No one is safe from her.
Symptoms and stages of development of pathology
Signs of infection depend on the nature of its course. There are several of them:
- Spicy. It is characterized by very severe itching in the genital area, as well as strong foaming secretions, which are often accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
- Chronic. In this case, the woman is periodically disturbed by small white discharge and discomfort in the vaginal area. This happens most often before the start of the monthly cycle and after its completion.
In addition, pathology can be accompanied by pain in the genital area and lower abdomen during urination, during sexual intercourse. In women, the menstrual cycle can be disturbed and concomitant infections (thrush, inflammation of the uterine mucous membranes) join. Men also have a sensation of itching and burning in the urethra. In addition, they have problems with their sexual lives, as the penis becomes larger in size, acquires an irregular shape. Edema does not allow the head of the body to be exposed. Trichomonas vaginalis in men can even be accompanied by fever.
However, in most cases, the infection presented does not occur for a very long time. In such a latent state, it can exist for years.
Features of the diagnosis of pathology
Finding a disease is not so simple. In addition to the doctor examining the patient and collecting an anamnesis, listening to his complaints, he is also required to make laboratory tests. Diagnostics, in general, consists of the following procedures:
1. Research on fresh preparations. To do this, a small drop of vaginal discharge is applied to a glass slide and examined under a microscope. However, this method is not very accurate, since it is not always possible to detect the pathogen.
2. More accurate is the analysis of PCR. Trichomonas vaginalis in this case is highlighted during the search for genetic markers. This technique allows you to give the most accurate diagnosis.
3. Luminescent microscopy with monoclonal antibodies.
4. The cultural method (sowing). It takes at least a week. During this time, the infection can already cause serious damage to your health.
5. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This analysis allows you to determine the presence and amount of antibodies to the parasite.
Features of the treatment of pathology in women
To eliminate the disease, it is necessary to act in an integrated manner. The patient may be prescribed such medications:
- Protoprotozoal: Metronidazole, Ornidazole.
- Enzymatic agents: Wobenzym.
- Antifungal tablets: "Fluconazole" or "Ketoconazole."
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers: Diclofenac.
- You can protect the liver with Silibin or Vitamin E.
- Immunomodulators: Introbion.
- To restore the intestinal microflora, it is recommended "Linex", "Lactovit."
In addition, the patient is prescribed a strict diet, which involves the rejection of spicy and fatty foods, alcohol, bad habits. Naturally, in combination with medications, physiotherapeutic procedures are also used: electrophoresis, inductothermy, ozokerite, laser therapy and UHF.
Features of the treatment of infection in men
In guys Trichomonas vaginalis, the symptoms you already know have certain characteristics. The parasite can be masked and not be affected by the immune system. This leads to the rapid development of infection and the appearance of serious complications. Naturally, the treatment in this case also differs in some features.
The basis of therapy is the administration of antiprotozoal agents Imidazole. They can be given as injections or as regular tablets. In most cases, local washing of the urethra with drugs and antiseptic drugs is also prescribed. This procedure is unpleasant and painful, but necessary. As you can see, male Trichomonas vaginalis is a little more difficult to treat. Therefore, treatment should be taken seriously. As for folk methods, they can only be auxiliary. You can not self-medicate.
Possible complications
The presented pathology is dangerous in that during its asymptomatic course secondary infections can join it, which are no less dangerous and cause no less harm. However, several diseases are more difficult to treat. The process is delayed.
Among the most common complications include:
- Prostatitis (in men). This pathology can already lead to complete irreversible infertility.
- Orchitis (in men). It is characterized by the appearance of an inflammatory process in the testicles. In this case, the patient experiences severe pain and his fever rises.
- Salpingoophoritis (in women). In this case, the inflammatory process is localized in the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
- Urethritis.
- Narrowing of the urethra.
- Paraphimosis, vesiculitis.
As you can see, if you have richomonas vaginalis, treatment should not be delayed. Otherwise, you may seriously suffer. Any problems of the genitourinary system cause not only pain and discomfort, but also are a source of infertility and psychological problems.
Disease prevention
In order to exclude the possibility of infection with Trichomonas, you must follow these precautions:
1. Do not engage in casual sexual intercourse (or at least use preservatives).
2. Observe thorough hygiene of your own body using antibacterial agents.
3. Timely contact a specialist if you have any symptoms or signs of an infectious disease.
4. Regular preventive examinations at doctors.
5. The use of strictly personal hygiene products.
Be healthy.