What is trichomonas, how do you contract it, and what are the symptoms in women and men?

Dana

Trichomonas vaginalis, commonly known as "trich," is an infection with a one-celled protozoan, a type of microbe. The trichomonas organism has a round body and four flagella, or tails, which give it a distinctive appearance under the microscope. It is a sexually transmitted organism; it may also live on wet bathing suits or damp towels for up to 24 hours, but transmission this way is exceedingly rare.

In women, trichomonas usually causes a greenish, frothy vaginal discharge which often smells fishy and unpleasant. Itching is common as well. Men may have similar symptoms or burning with urination. It is easily diagnosed by examining the vaginal discharge under a microscope and looking for the moving trichomonads. Treatment consists of an oral metronidazole (Flagyl), most often in a one-time dose. Because trichomonas is sexually transmitted, the man must be treated as well. Condoms are effective in preventing the spread of this, as well as most other STDs.