{"product_id":"your-guide-to-trichomoniasis-he7032","title":"Your Guide to Trichomoniasis - HE7032","description":"\u003ch3\u003eSimple facts on identifying symptoms, treatment, and prevention.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat is it?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrichomoniasis (often called “trich”) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a tiny parasite called \u003cem\u003eTrichomonas vaginalis.\u003c\/em\u003e It is common in Aotearoa New Zealand and is easily treated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow do you get it?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrichomoniasis is usually spread through sex or contact with infected genital fluids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can get trichomoniasis from:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenital contact without a condom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSharing sex toys that have not been cleaned between uses or covered with a new condom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSymptoms\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany people do not have symptoms and may not know they have trichomoniasis, but they can still pass it on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSymptoms are more common in people with a vagina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor people with a vagina\u003c\/strong\u003e, symptoms \u003cstrong\u003emay\u003c\/strong\u003e include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncreased vaginal discharge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA strong or unpleasant genital smell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItchy, sore, or irritated genitals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor people with a penis\u003c\/strong\u003e, most people have no symptoms, but some \u003cstrong\u003emay\u003c\/strong\u003e have:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDischarge from the penis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePain or discomfort when peeing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow do you get tested?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTesting is simple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you have a vagina, a vaginal swab is usually used, and you can often do this yourself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you have a penis, a urine sample is usually taken.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have symptoms, a doctor or nurse may also recommend an examination to check for other possible causes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTreatment\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrichomoniasis is \u003cstrong\u003eusually easily treated with antibiotics. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe antibiotics usually work very well. Taking the tablets with food can help reduce nausea. Avoid alcohol during treatment and for 48 hours afterwards, as it can make you feel very unwell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is important to:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTake all the medication exactly as prescribed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid unprotected sex, including oral sex, for 1 week from the start of treatment and until 1 week after current sexual partner\/s have been treated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePrevention \u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou can reduce your risk of getting or passing trichomoniasis on by:\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsing condoms or dental dams from start to finish every time you have vaginal sex\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot sharing sex toys, or cleaning them between uses and covering them with a new condom each time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHaving regular STI checks, especially if you have new or multiple partners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have been treated for trichomoniasis:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMake sure your current sexual partner or partners are tested and treated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid sex, or use condoms, until everyone has been treated as advised\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGet retested 3 months later to check for reinfection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTelling your partners\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are diagnosed with trichomoniasis, it is important to tell anyone you have had sex with in the last 3 months. Partner notification helps prevent reinfection and reduces transmission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePartners should be tested and treated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTelling partners is important to stop the infection being passed on and to reduce the risk of you getting it again. Your doctor, nurse, or sexual health clinic can help you with this if needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere can I get help?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttend your local sexual health clinic or primary care provider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information on all things sexual health and STIs, visit the Just the Facts website: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.justthefacts.co.nz\/\"\u003eLife goes on, read Just The Facts about Sexually Transmitted Infections\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCover image courtesy of Death to Stock, models used for illustrative purposes only.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HealthEd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49809619747044,"sku":"HE7032","price":0.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0102\/6916\/3582\/files\/HE7032.png?v=1788759731","url":"https:\/\/healthed.govt.nz\/products\/your-guide-to-trichomoniasis-he7032","provider":"HealthEd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}