Glossary of Medical and Health Terms

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis, sometimes referred to as "trich", is a common sexually transmitted disease that affects 7.4 million previously unaffected Americans each year. It is caused by a single-celled protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is primarily an infection of the genitourinary tract; The urethra is the most common site of infection in men, and the vagina is the most common site of infection in women. It is most common in women and uncircumsized men. For uncircumsized men, the most common site for the infection is the tip of the penis.

Trichomoniasis, like many other sexually transmitted diseases, often occurs without any symptoms. Men almost never have symptoms, while 20% of women are asymptomatic.

• When women have symptoms, they usually appear within 5 to 28 days of exposure. The symptoms in women include a heavy, yellow-green or gray vaginal discharge, discomfort during intercourse, unpleasant vaginal odor, and painful urination. Irritation and itching of the female genital area, and on rare occasions, lower abdominal pain also can be present. In about two-thirds of infected females, there is edema, inflammation, cell hypertrophy and metaplasia.
• The symptoms in men, if present, include a thin, whitish discharge from the penis and painful or difficult urination.

Associated ICD-10 code: A59.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichomoniasis

The aim of MyQuestionsMatter is to help you, the patient, in your interactions with doctors, midwives, dentists, nurses, or any other medical professional. Knowing what health questions to ask during an appointment can help you to get the quality of service you need, and expect.

Click here to generate a list of health questions now.