Trichomoniasis

(Trich)
 • Etiological agent:

  Trichomonas vaginalis
( Protozoal infection causing Vulvovaginitis)
• a small parasitic singled celled protozoan or
flagellated motile protozoan that can be
transmitted through sex with either men or
women, Causing of trichomoniasis.
• Inhabits the lower genital tract of female ( moist
environment) and at the urethra and prostate of
males.
*It is sexually transmitted disease that can be
curable
 Incubation Period
• 5- 28 days

Period of communicability
• For the duration of infection
 Most common
• 14%-60% of male partners of infected women
• 67%-100% of female partners of infected men.
* It is unclear why women are infected more often
than men.
*One possibility is that prostatic fluid
contains zinc and other substances that may be
harmful to trichomonads.
 Sign and Symptoms
• In women
• blood spotting in vaginal discharge
• heavy, yellowish-green or gray, frothy vaginal discharge
• infection in the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out
of the body
• itching, burning or pain in the vagina
• lower abdominal pain
• musty vaginal odor
• pain and/or burning when urinating
• pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
• swelling in the groin
• swollen and irritated vagina and cervix
• urinating more than usual
• vaginal or vulval redness
• worsening symptoms when menstruating
In Men
• Men rarely have any symptoms, however, if
symptoms do occur they include:
• infection of the urethra or prostate gland,
which is involved in semen production
• painful and/or difficult urination
• thin, whitish discharge from the penis
• tingling inside the penis
• * Men mostly do not show symptoms but it is
advisable to seek treatment if their partner
has Trichomoniasis as infection is likely.
 Mode of transmission
• The parasite rarely causes • Unlike most STDs,
symptoms in men and re- Trichomonas can survive for
infection of women by some hours outside the body
untreated partners can often on infected objects and can
occur.   be transmitted by sharing:
• It can be spread during:
• bodily fluids
• anal sex
• contaminated bedding
• mutual masturbation when
bodily fluids from one partner • damp towels
come in contact with the • sheets
other's genitals (in rare cases) • toilet seats
• oral sex •  
• vaginal sex
 Diagnosis
Trichomonas is a pear-shaped protozoa with a tail (flagellate). 
Diagnosis can be made by:
• Culture Tests
A culture of the organism or an antibody test may be done, especially in men,
as relatively few of the parasites are found in discharges from the penis
• Examination under a Microscope
Samples of vaginal discharge or secretions from the penis are examined
under a microscope
• Laboratory Testing
Samples of vaginal discharge or secretions from the penis may be sent to a
laboratory to see if Trichomonas is present and may take up to 2 weeks for
the results
• Pap smears
Pap Smears are sometimes used to confirm diagnosis
 Treatment
Antibiotics are usually successful (cure rate 95%) even though this infection is not a
bacteria.  It is usually administered in a single dose.
Procedure
• Sexual partners need treatment at the same time to eliminate the parasite and to
prevent re-exposure and re-infection.
• Antibiotics used are:
Metronidazole
• This antibiotic is also called Flagyl
• Caution
• If taken with alcohol it can cause severe:
• nausea
• vomiting
Azithromycin
• This antibiotic is also called Zithromax and has fewer side effects but is more expensive
5-notroimidazoles
• These drugs are successful for both partners
***If left untreated Trichomoniasis can:
• be spread to your sexual partner(s)
• cause infections in the urethra or prostate gland in men
• continue to cause uncomfortable symptoms
 Prevention
Transmission of this parasite from one person to the next may be reduced by:
• Abstinence from sex until the infection is cured
• Consistent and correct male, latex condom use, put on before starting sex
and worn until the penis is withdrawn
• Spermicides and diaphragms which may provide some protection
• Treatment of the male partner
Help Factors
• If you have come in contact with trichomoniasis see your doctor, health
professional or urologist immediately
• Know your partner's sexual history
• Limit one's sexual relationship to a single, uninfected partner
Note
• Douching or urinating after sex does not prevent STDs
• Frequent use of spermicides can cause vaginal inflammation
 Chain of infection
Etiological Agent: Trichomonas vaginalis

Susceptible Host: Man Reservoir: Human

Portal Of entry: Sexual Contact to

infected human Portal of Exit: Sexual Contact

Mode of Transmission
Direct Contact
Syphilis
 Causative Agent

• Syphilis is caused by a corkscrew-shaped

bacterium known as a spirochete.Its
scientific name is Treponema
pallidium.The bacteria moves by
twisting.and can only survive for a short
time outside the body.
 MODE OF TRANSMISSION:
• The disease is mainly transmitted
sexually, usually among people with
multiple sexual partners.The disease can
also be transmitted from mother to
unborn child, resulting in congenital
syphilis. The bacteria, being blood-borne
can also be transmitted by intravenous
drug use and drug transfusion.
 PERIOD OF COMMUNICABILITY:
• Transmit infection through sexual
intercourse for approximately 5years, but
the most important period of
communicability is during the earliest
months or a year.
• Congenital transmission throughout the
period of pregnancy
 INCUBATION PERIOD
• 10-90 days, average 21 days or 3 weeks
• No symptoms or lesions
• Spirochetenia is present: the patient’s blood
is infected
 SIGN AND SYMPTOMS:
• Syphilis is a complex disease, with many stages.The
symptoms are divided in stages as below.
• Primary syphilis- After the bacteria enters the body
through the mucosal tissues,they multiply at the
site of entry and soon spreads throughout the body
through the lymph system.In a period ranging from
10-30 days, a small lesion called chancre appears
on the entry site.A chancre is a shallow ulcer which
causes relatively no pain.The chancre soon
disappears but after 2-6 weeks, secondary syphilis
appears
PRIMARY SYPHILIS:
 SECONDARY SYPHILIS:
• Secondary syphilis- The bacteria that spread
from the entry site are deposited in tissues
and multiply slowly.Lesions and rashes
appear throughout the body.These contains
large amounts of bacterium and are highly
infectious.Headache,fever,sore throat may
be experienced.The symptoms gradually
subsides, but in people, may reappear as
tertiary syphilis years later some.
SECONDARY SYPHILIS:
 TERTIARY SYPHILIS:
• Tertiary syphilis- Tertiary syphilis follows after
about 3 to 30 years from secondary
syphilis.However,in AIDS patients, the tertiary
stage may develop within a few months.Large
patches of lesion called gummas occur.The
bacteria may not be present at all. This is due to an
adverse immune reaction to the bacteria.Insanity
may result due to lesions in the nervous system,
known as neurosyphilis.The heart may be involved
too, resulting in heart disease.
TERTIARY SYPHILIS:
 CONGENITAL SYPHILIS:
• Congenital syphilis- The bacteria can cross
through the placenta to an unborn baby from
his mother, resulting in congenital
syphilis.The infants born may have congenital
defects or show symptoms at a later time.The
infant may have skin lesion,enlarged
spleen,anemia,pneumonia,mental
retardation,deformed bones and teeth and
damage to the eyes.
 TREATMENT:

• Penicillin is effective in treating syphilis.

In patients who are allergic to penicillin,
tetracyclines or erythromycin may be
used.For primary and secondary syphilis,
antibiotic therapy for 7-10 days can treat
the disease sucessfully.For the tertiary
stage,treatment must be maintained for
over 21 days.
 PREVENTION:
• The prevention of syphilis is mainly the
same as with the other sexually-
transmitted diseases.The use of condoms
will prevent transmission.Keep to one
sexual partner.Follow-up with the sexual
partners of the patient can help prevent
the spread of syphilis.
 OTHER FACTS:

• Syphilis is known as the great pox in the past to

distinguish it from smallpox which also produces
lesions.The word syphilis" actually comes from a
name of a shepherd in a Latin poem who got this
disease.Syphilis can also mimic other diseases,
hence its another name is "the Great
Masquader"."syph", "lues" and "bad blood" are its
other names.The causative agent,Treponema
pallidium was discovered by Fritz R. Schaudinn and
Erich Hoffmanin 1905.
 Chain of Infection
Etiological Agent:Treponema pallidium

Reservoir:Human
Susceptible host: Man

Portal of Exit: sexual contact Portal of entry: Sexual contact to

Infected human

Mode of transmission: Direct contact