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Women are the most vulnerable category for infection with trichomoniasis. This infection, affecting the genitourinary system, most clearly manifests itself in the female body. Trichomoniasis is often diagnosed during preventive examinations by a gynecologist, when examining pregnant women for registration. Trichomoniasis threatens with serious complications up to infertility. An untreated infection becomes chronic, its symptoms subside, and in the future the disease acquires erased symptoms.
What is trichomoniasis and how can you get infected?
Trichomoniasis in women refers to STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). The causative agent of trichomoniasis is a single-celled bacterium of the protozoan class. Trichomonas can live in an anaerobic (airless) environment with an acidity of 5,5-6,5 pH. The contents of the vagina or urethra are the optimal environment for the active life of the parasite. According to medical statistics, every tenth person on Earth is infected with trichomoniasis.
The disease is transmitted sexually during traditional unprotected sexual contact. The domestic route of infection is theoretically possible, but is extremely rare. Ways of household infection – towels, washcloths, swimwear, clothing for general use, bed linen.
[Video] Gynecologist Dmitry Lubnin – talks in detail about trichomoniasis in general, about the ways of infection, symptoms, about the incubation period, about treatment:
Causes of treatment failure
In 5% of cases, trichomonas are resistant (resistant) to the drugs taken.
Prevention of trichomoniasis
The main route of transmission of trichomoniasis to a woman is through unprotected sex with an infected person. The domestic route of infection, although theoretically possible, is extremely rare in practice. This is due to the fact that the bacterium is not able to survive in the normal human environment. For her, drying and temperatures above + 45 ° C are detrimental. Adapted to life in the genitourinary system, Trichomonas dies in 3-5 minutes under the influence of disinfectants and antiseptics.
Preventive measures against infection by household:
Use of personal hygiene items;
Thorough cleaning of common areas;
Compliance with hygiene standards and rules;
Periodic diagnosis for the detection of STDs;
Following the recommendations of the doctor in the treatment of genital infections.
In order for a bacterium to retain its ability to reproduce in the external environment, it must get to a place where high humidity and a comfortable temperature will be maintained for some time. Most often these are the conditions of the bathroom, bath, sauna. Through common bath accessories and hygiene items, the infection can get from a sick person to a healthy person. Children, especially girls, are more at risk of domestic infection with trichomoniasis, receiving it from a sick mother through a common towel.
Personal hygiene. Carrying out regular bath procedures and washings significantly reduce the possibility of infection with trichomoniasis. This is especially important for the prevention of infection in everyday life;
Use of personal hygiene items. Towels, underwear, washcloths – this is the most likely route of transmission of bacteria from a sick person to a healthy one. They must be individual. Items available for disinfection with soap and hot water are washed after each use (linen, towels). Ironing with a hot iron will complete their disinfection, as Trichomonas dies at +100°C in a few seconds. The washcloth should also be only individual, after use it must be dried;
Carrying out regular cleaning. Wet cleaning with the use of disinfectants and regular ventilation reduce the concentration of Trichomonas on various surfaces. The causative agents of the disease lose their activity and die;
Periodic examination for sexually transmitted diseases. In order not to become a source of household infection with trichomoniasis, you should be regularly checked for the carriage of STDs. Detection of a latent infection will help to quickly cure it without infecting others;
Correct treatment of existing genital infections. Treatment of both sexual partners, careful implementation of the doctor’s recommendations will help get rid of trichomoniasis as soon as possible. The course of antimicrobial therapy is calculated by the doctor depending on the intensity of infection and the presence of complications. During the treatment of trichomoniasis, women are prohibited from drinking alcohol and having sex. The success of the treatment is assessed by the results of tests carried out a few weeks after therapy.
Conditions in which infection with trichomoniasis will never occur:
Through a handshake. Through the skin, the bacterium will not be able to penetrate into the body, it dies in the conditions of the external environment. The main route of introduction of Trichomonas – mucous membranes.
Through the blood. Trichomonas cannot survive in human blood. That is why contact with the blood of a sick person is not dangerous if he does not have blood-borne diseases associated with trichomoniasis.
During unconventional sex. Anal and oral sex are associated with the gastrointestinal tract, in which Trichomonas is not able to exist. This does not apply to other STD pathogens introduced through the gastrointestinal tract.
During the kiss. The infection is not transmitted through the oral cavity, since the environment in it is unfavorable for the life of Trichomonas.
Prevention of infection through sexual contact is the most effective way to prevent trichomoniasis.
Measures to protect against trichomoniasis:
Abstinence from promiscuity;
Avoiding unprotected sex, using a condom;
The use of bactericidal solutions for disinfection of the genital organs after accidental contact;
Regular express diagnostics of genital infections;
Avoiding genital intercourse with a partner you are unsure about. Such a preventive measure guarantees the safety of a woman from infection with trichomoniasis. Theoretically, non-traditional types of sex are considered safe in this regard. However, both during anal and oral sex without protection, you can get a sexual infection that accompanies trichomoniasis. For HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and other infections, gastrointestinal conditions will not interfere with entry into the body;
One healthy sexual partner who does not have sexually transmitted diseases reduces the risk of contracting trichomoniasis to zero. A complete STD test can take 2-3 months. For complete certainty, it is advisable to use a condom during this period;
The choice in favor of barrier methods of contraception. The most common way for a woman to protect herself from trichomoniasis is for a man to use a condom. There are rules for using this method of contraception to achieve maximum security. A condom is a single-use item that cannot be opened with sharp objects. After sexual intercourse is completed and the condom is removed, it is forbidden to touch the genitals with a partner. A slipped or torn condom should be changed, preferably by treating the genitals with a bactericidal solution.
Medical prevention. If there was a questionable sexual contact in terms of safety, or sex with a partner who obviously has an STD, drug prophylaxis can be carried out in a dermatovenerological dispensary. The doctor will introduce drugs to protect against the possible introduction of pathogens of sexual infections into the body: trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, etc. This prophylaxis does not work on HPV viruses, genital herpes, HIV infection.
The use of bactericidal agents. Antiseptics are used to treat the genitals, thighs, perineum in case of doubtful contact or in case of violation of the integrity of the condom.
A full guarantee that the body does not have a latent course of trichomoniasis can be given by a regular check for the presence of the infectious agent. Such diagnostics at an early stage will help to easily get rid of the disease, not become a source of infection for a partner, and prevent complications.
Which doctor treats trichomoniasis?
For examination and treatment of trichomoniasis, women turn to doctors of the following specialties:
venereologist;
Urologist;
Gynecologist.
At the first appointment, the doctor will conduct a visual examination of the genital organs, take time to collect an anamnesis, prescribe the necessary laboratory examination of blood and other biological material. In women, vaginal discharge is analyzed, in men – the secret of the prostate gland and discharge from the urethra.