Having trichomoniasis once does not protect a person from getting it again. Following successful treatment, people can still be susceptible to re-infection.
How can trichomoniasis be prevented?
The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.
Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of trichomoniasis.
Any genital symptom such as discharge or burning during urination or an unusual sore or rash should be a signal to stop having sex and to consult a health care provider immediately. If you are told you have trichomoniasis (or any other STD) and receive treatment, you should notify all of your recent sex partners so that they can see a health care provider and be treated. Sex partners need treatment even if they have no symptoms. This will reduce the risk that your partners will develop complications from trichomoniasis and will reduce your risk of becoming re-infected. Do not have sex until both you and your sex partners complete your treatment for trichomoniasis and have no symptoms.
Where can I get more information?
Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/std
Personal health inquiries and information about STDs:
CDC National STD and AIDS Hotlines
(800) 227-8922 or (800) 342-2437
En Espanol (800) 344-7432
TTY for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 243-7889
Resources:
CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN)
P.O. Box 6003
Rockville, MD 20849-6003
1-800-458-5231
1-888-282-7681 Fax
1-800-243-7012 TTY
E-mail: info@cdcnpin.org
www.cdcnpin.org
American Social Health Association (ASHA)
P. O. Box 13827
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3827
1-800-783-9877
www.ashastd.org
STD questions: std-hivnet@ashastd.org
Sources
American Social Health Association. Sexually transmitted diseases in America: How many cases and at what cost? Research Triangle Park, NC, 1998.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2002. MMWR 2002;51(no. RR-6).
Krieger JN and Alderete JF. Trichomonas vaginalis and trichomoniasis. In: K. Holmes, P. Markh, P. Sparling et al (eds). Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 3rd Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1999, 587-604.
Reprinted from the Centers for Disease Control
