How Trichomoniasis is Spread
The Trichomonas vaginalis parasite is spread sexually by penis-to-vagina intercourse or vulva-to-vulva (the genital area outside the vagina) contact with an infected partner. Women can get the disease from infected men or women, but men usually only get it from infected women.
A common misbelief is that infection can be spread by toilet seats, wet towels or hot tubs. This is not likely, since the parasite cannot live long on objects and surfaces.
Risk Factors for Trichomoniasis Infection
A number of factors have been associated with an increased risk of acquiring trichomoniasis, including:
- Multiple sexual partners
- Being of African descent
- Past or present infection with other STDs
- Bacterial vaginosis
- High vaginal pH levels
Transmission of Trichomoniasis
Since trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease, those who are most likely to spread trichomoniasis are those who have increased sexual activity and multiple partners. The symptoms of trichomoniasis in women may not occur for 28 days in as many as 50% of infected women, so the male sexual partners of those women may be infected without knowing it and spread it to others.
Trichomoniasis is sometimes called the "ping-pong disease" because sexual partners frequently pass it back and forth. Studies have shown that cure rates go up and recurrence rates go down when both partners are treated at the same time.
About 5% of babies born to mothers who have trichomoniasis contract the infection.
