Trichomonas or"trich"

Trichomonas is a germ that can be spread during sex.

It can cause vaginitis in women - an inflamed, sore and itchy vagina, sometimes with an unusual discharge. Very rarely trichomonas can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) - a serious infection in women.

If a woman who is pregnant has "trich", her baby may be born early or weigh less than normal.

Even if you don't have any symptoms you can still pass on "trich" to your partner if you are infected.

What to look for

Females:

• frothy, off-white or yellowish-green vaginal discharge
  
• itching and irritation of the genital area
  
• vaginal odour
  
• pain during sex
  
• painful or frequent urination

Males:

• Often males don't have any symptoms but they may experience:
  
• slight discharge from the penis
  
• burning sensation on urination
  
• irritation and redness of the head of the penis

Trichomonas can be diagnosed by a swab of the discharge or infected area.

Trichomonas can be treated with pills, but both you and your partner (or partners) need to be treated to prevent you from getting the infection again.

You can protect yourself against "trich" by using a condom every time you have sex.

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