Trichomoniasis is caused by the parasite Trichomonas Vaginalis. Thrichomoniasis is usually transmitted through sexual contact, but it may be picked up from contact with damp or moist objects such as towels, wet clothing, or a toilet seat, if the genital area gets in contact with these damp or moist objects. Unlike most STDs, the parasite can live for about an hour on damp towels, washcloths and bathing suits. If someone uses these towels or washcloths or puts on the bathing suit, the disease may be passed on that way.
Trichomoniasis is thought to be the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world.
Around 90% of boys and 50% of girls who contract Trichomoniasis do not experience symptoms, but they can nonetheless transmit it to others.
For girls, the symptoms are yellow-green, smelly discharge, itching and rashing in the vaginal area, pain during intercourse, cystitis and sometimes pain when urinating.
For boys, symptoms include discharge from the urethra, pain when urinationg plus an itching or burning sensation when urinating.
The infection is treated with pills. You can get screened for trichomonas at your doctor or a venereal clinic.
Use of male condoms may help prevent the spread of trichomoniasis, although careful studies have never been done that focus on how to prevent this infection
