From the Guidelines
Yes, someone can contract Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis) without a co-existing Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). Trichomoniasis is a standalone STI caused by a parasitic protozoan that can be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. According to the CDC guidelines 1, treatment typically involves a single dose of metronidazole 2 grams orally, or metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 7 days. Key points to consider include:
- All sexual partners should also be treated simultaneously to prevent reinfection, and sexual activity should be avoided until both partners complete treatment and symptoms resolve.
- Unlike some STIs that often occur together, trichomoniasis can be acquired independently through sexual contact with someone who has the infection but no other STIs.
- The parasite primarily infects the urogenital tract and can survive for hours on moist surfaces.
- Many infected individuals (up to 70% of women and most men) don't show symptoms, which contributes to its spread, as people may unknowingly transmit the infection to their partners. The CDC guidelines also emphasize the importance of treating patients and sex partners to achieve relief of symptoms, microbiologic cure, and reduction of transmission 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
T. vaginalis infection is a venereal disease. The answer is no, the text does not provide information to support that someone can contract Trichomonas vaginalis without a co-existing Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), as it is described as a venereal disease, implying sexual transmission. 2
From the Research
Trichomonas vaginalis Infection
- Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause vaginitis, cervicitis, and urethritis 3.
- It is likely the most prevalent nonviral sexually transmitted infection, affecting an estimated 3.7 million women and men in the United States 4.
- TV is correlated with several health problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), pregnancy miscarriages, cervical carcinoma, prostatitis, prostatic adenocarcinomas, infertility, and the acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 5.
Contracting Trichomonas vaginalis without a Co-existing STI
- The provided studies do not directly address whether someone can contract Trichomonas vaginalis without a co-existing Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) 6, 7, 3, 4, 5.
- However, it is mentioned that Trichomonas vaginalis frequently co-occurs with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and HIV 7, suggesting that co-infections are common.
- There is no clear evidence to suggest that Trichomonas vaginalis cannot be contracted without a co-existing STI, but the studies focus more on the treatment and management of TV infections rather than the mode of transmission.
Treatment and Management of Trichomonas vaginalis
- Metronidazole and tinidazole are two oral drugs that are effective against trichomoniasis 3, 4.
- The 2-g single-dose oral metronidazole regimen remains the preferred treatment in men, while multidose metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 7 days reduced the proportion of women with Trichomonas infection at 1 month test of cure compared with women receiving single-dose therapy 4.
- Repeat and persistent infections are common in women, and rescreening at 3 months after treatment is recommended 4.