Trichomonas Transmission from One Sexual Interaction

Transmission Characteristics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend simultaneous treatment of all sexual partners to prevent reinfection, as the infection is highly contagious between sexual partners 1, 2

Most men infected with T. vaginalis are asymptomatic, making them efficient vectors for transmission without knowing they are infected, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians 1, 3
Many women are also asymptomatic (up to 50% may not report symptoms), though symptomatic women typically develop diffuse, malodorous, yellow-green discharge with vulvar irritation, as reported by the American Academy of Family Physicians 1, 3

Treatment of both patient and sex partner is required for "reduction of transmission," indicating the high likelihood of partner-to-partner spread, as stated by the CDC 1

Reinfection is extremely common when partners are not treated simultaneously, which is why patients must abstain from sex until both they and their partners complete treatment and are asymptomatic, according to the CDC 2, 4
The infection has serious health consequences beyond transmission, including facilitation of HIV transmission and acquisition, adverse pregnancy outcomes (premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, low birth weight), and potential links to cervical cancer, as reported by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics 4, 6, 7