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Quick Facts About Trichomoniasis
| A | B |
|---|---|
| Name | Trichomoniasis |
| Scientific Name | Trichomonas vaginalis infection. |
| Origin | Africa |
| Cause | Parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis |
| Transmission | Sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex |
| Symptoms | Vaginal discharge (in women), penile discharge (in men), painful urination, itching or burning around the genitals, painful intercourse |
| Complications | Increased risk of HIV infection, premature birth and low birth weight babies (in pregnant women), difficulty getting pregnant |
| Prevention | Use condoms during all sexual contact, get tested for STIs regularly |
| Treatment | Antibiotics |
| Names in Other Languages | • Spanish: Tricomoniasis • French: Trichomonase • German: Trichomoniasis • Chinese (Simplified): 滴虫病 (Dīchóngbìng) • Chinese (Traditional): 滴蟲病 (Dīchóngbìng) • Japanese: トリコモナス症 (Torikomunasu-shō) • Korean: 트리코모나스 감염 (Teurikomonaseu gamjeom) • Hindi: ट्रिकोमोनिएसिस (Trikōmaniyēsis) • Russian: Трихомониаз (Trikhomoniyaz) • Portuguese: Tricomoníase • Arabic: داء المشعرات (Da'u al-masha'irat) • Vietnamese: Bệnh trichomoniasis |
In a world where infidelity and distrust are rife, it is easy to question yourself and others that how can you get trichomoniasis if no one cheats in your relationship? However, you need to have absolute knowledge of trichomoniasis, and all the ways it can be transmitted from one person to another before coming to the conclusion that your partner is cheating.
Trichomoniasis is a non-viral and common sexually transmitted disease that affects both men and women, although it is more common in women. It does not always come with symptoms, hence, the possibility of having the infection for a long time without knowing. It is commonly transmitted through sexual intercourse but can also be transmitted through other means.
In this article, you will find the answer to your question, “How can you get trichomoniasis if no one cheats?”, and understand the other means of transmitting and contracting trichomoniasis. Also, you’ll get a better understanding of trichomoniasis.
What is Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is a non-viral sexually transmitted infection that occurs in both men and women, but it is more common in women. It is usually found in the urethra in men, and in the vagina, cervix, vulva, and urethra in women. It is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, and it can be found in the anus, too.
Trichomoniasis thrives in a wet or moist and warm environment and is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections known to man. Although it is widespread and can develop due to the presence of other sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, it is curable.
How is Trichomoniasis transmitted?
The primary means of transmission of trichomoniasis is through sexual intercourse. It may be through vaginal penetration, anal sex, oral sex, or genitalia rubbing. The causative organism is usually present in sex fluids for both genders and a man does not need to ejaculate before introducing it to the female genitalia. Sharing sex toys also helps to transmit trichomoniasis. Therefore, regardless of your sexual orientation, you are at the risk of contracting trichomoniasis if you engage in sex without protection.
However, trichomoniasis can be transmitted through other means that may not be sexual, which includes sharing of cleaning materials. Although rare, it is possible to transmit the causative agent from one person to another by sharing personal hygiene items such as towels or simply sharing bathwater. This introduces the possibility of getting infected with trichomoniasis without getting sexually involved with an infected person.
How do you know if your partner has Trichomoniasis?
In many people, trichomoniasis does not show symptoms, and that makes it spread fast. However, for the few that have symptoms, they may include:
- White discharge from the penis (for men)
- Thin white, green, or yellow discharge from the vagina (for women)
- Bad odor from the vagina
- Burning sensation during urination
- Burning sensation after ejaculation
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Irritation or itching of the genitals
These symptoms may be attributed to other sexually transmitted infections; therefore, it is best to get tested to ascertain the specific infection one has. Generally, the diagnosis and test include lab tests of your genital discharge, and for women, pelvic examination.
How can you get Trichomoniasis if no one cheats?
It is easy to suspect your partner of infidelity when you find out they have trichomoniasis, and while that is a possibility, since about 70% of trichomoniasis infection and transmission is sexual, it does not definitely mean they have been cheating.
The absence of symptoms, when infected with trichomoniasis, makes it difficult to subscribe the infection to infidelity. Your partner may have had the infection before getting into a relationship with you. It is also possible that they got the infection from you, even when you’re not showing symptoms that they are.
Another possibility is in the sharing of hygiene materials with others, especially females. Since the causative agent of trichomoniasis thrives in a warm and moist environment, sharing the same towel, for instance, predisposes them to get the infection.
Also, an account of some virgin ladies who were infected with trichomoniasis because they share the same bathwater gives another perspective. If your partner gets in a pool with someone who is infected with trichomoniasis, they can get infected.
While it is possible to get infected with trichomoniasis without getting sexual, it is rare. Most of the trich infection cases are through sexual experiences; however, it may be before you and your partner began your relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trichomoniasis Transmission
Let’s shed some more light on trichomoniasis transmission by answering some of the questions people have asked about it.
Can Trichomoniasis be Caught non-sexually?
Yes, trichomoniasis can be caught non-sexually, but that is in rare cases. Trichomonas vaginalis thrives in a warm and moist environment and the perfect place in a human’s body that fits that description is the vagina. The vagina is a complex network of flesh and nerves that can accommodate the causative agent in the vulva, cervix, urethra, or vagina itself.
However, cases of trichomonas transmission through non-sexual means have been recorded, and they follow the same warm and moist environment in transmission, as in a warm and moist towel shared by females of the same family.
Can You Get Trichomonas Alone?
Technically, no. You can’t get trichomonas when you’re alone and not in physical sexual contact with an infected person, or share their hygiene materials. Although having other sexually transmitted infections predisposes you to contract trichomoniasis, you cannot get it when alone and not using an infected material, such as a sex toy.
How Did I Get Trichomoniasis as a Virgin?
It is quite rare to contract trichomoniasis as a virgin. However, in the right sense of the word, if you’re a virgin physically, that is you have no firsthand sexual experience, you may have gotten trichomoniasis by sharing the same warm and moist environment with someone who has the infection. Such an environment includes a pool or a bathtub, where the water is the medium of transfer.
Also, if you have shared a towel with an infected person, that may be how you got trichomoniasis as a virgin.
Conclusion
Trichomoniasis is a common non-viral STI. Although it is primarily spread through sexual intercourse, it does not mean your partner is cheating. They may have had the infection before getting into a relationship with you.
Ayomide is a fiction and non-fiction writer. A lover of science and everything mysterious that surrounds it, he seeks out new information to keep his interest alive.
