Infection with Trichomonas vaginalis is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD). It should be suspected in any patient with risk factors for or signs of STD.
Risk factors:
(1) high risk sexual behavior
(2) presence of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Many patients are asymptomatic and are only identified if culture, wet mount, or specialized testing is performed.
Clinical findings in symptomatic women:
(1) vaginal discharge, which may be frothy and which often has a pH > 4.5
(2) vaginal odor
(3) vaginal edema and/or erythema
(4) urethritis with dysuria
(5) lower abdominal pain
(6) strawberry cervix (colpitis macularis) on colposcopy
Clinical findings in symptomatic men:
(1) nongonococcal urethritis
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