Trichomonas: Clinical Analysis of a Highly Prevalent and Misdiagnosed Infection

Trichomoniasis, an infection caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), is a widespread sexually transmitted disease that affects men and women, though infection is more common in women. Trichomoniasis is under-recognized by both health care providers and patients; neither is aware of its predominance among STDs or the significant sequelae of untreated infection, especially HIV acquisition and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The combination of high prevalence, ease of transmission, availability of effective and inexpensive treatment, and significant health risks and costs of untreated infection creates a strong public health motivation to screen patients for TV infection.

Trichomoniasis, an infection caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), is a widespread sexually transmitted disease that affects men and women, though infection is more common in women. Trichomoniasis is under-recognized by both health care providers and patients; neither is aware of its predominance among STDs or the significant sequelae of untreated infection, especially HIV acquisition and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The combination of high prevalence, ease of transmission, availability of effective and inexpensive treatment, and significant health risks and costs of untreated infection creates a strong public health motivation to screen patients for TV infection.

Trichomoniasis, an infection caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), is a widespread sexually transmitted disease that affects men and women, though infection is more common in women. Trichomoniasis is under-recognized by both health care providers and patients; neither is aware of its predominance among STDs or the significant sequelae of untreated infection, especially HIV acquisition and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The combination of high prevalence, ease of transmission, availability of effective and inexpensive treatment, and significant health risks and costs of untreated infection creates a strong public health motivation to screen patients for TV infection.