TRICHOMONAS: HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED?

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Friday, March 27, 2009 | 5:15 am

Trichomonas infection is acquired through sexual contact with a partner who is infected, most often through heterosexual (vagina-penis) contact, but women who have sex with other women can transfer the infection through the use of sex toys. The throat and the anal or rectal area are not sites of infec-tion, so the infection is not transmitted through oral sex or anal intercourse. Although Trichomonas can exist for several hours in body fluids outside the body, and therefore the possibility exists that transmission may take place by nonsexual means, there are no documented cases of transmission by toilet seats or towels. Once genital secretions dry, they are not infectious to others. As noted in the previous section, a mother who is infected may transmit the infection to her child during delivery.

Having unprotected vaginal intercourse with a partner who is infected can transmit trichomoniasis, even if the infected partner does not have any symptoms. Using condoms correctly and consistently helps prevent transmission.

For women who have sex with other women, vaginal fluid exchange can lead to infection. Testing prior to sexual contact, the use of condoms on sex toys for each partner, or not sharing sex toys at all can decrease the risk of infection.

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