Urinary Tract Infections—Trichomoniasis

Also called: Trich

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a parasite. You get it through sexual intercourse with an infected partner. Many people do not have any symptoms. If you do get symptoms, they usually happen within 5 to 28 days after being infected.

It can cause vaginitis in women. Symptoms include

• Yellow-green or gray discharge from the vagina
• Discomfort during sex
• Vaginal odor
• Painful urination
• Itching in or near the vagina

Most men do not have symptoms. If they do, they may have a whitish discharge from the penis and painful or difficult urination and ejaculation.

Lab tests can tell if you have the infection. Treatment is with antibiotics. If you are infected, you and your partner must be treated. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading trichomoniasis.

NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

• Condom Fact Sheet in Brief (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) – PDF
• Trichomoniasis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) – PDF
• Trichomoniasis (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: UTI

The urinary system is the body’s drainage system for removing wastes and extra water. It includes two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder, and a urethra. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common type of infection in the body.

You may have a UTI if you notice

• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Fever, tiredness, or shakiness
• An urge to urinate often
• Pressure in your lower belly
• Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy or reddish
• Pain in your back or side below the ribs

People of any age or sex can get UTIs. But about four times as many women get UTIs as men. You’re also at higher risk if you have diabetes, need a tube to drain your bladder, or have a spinal cord injury.

If you think you have a UTI it is important to see your doctor. Your doctor can tell if you have a UTI with a urine test. Treatment is with antibiotics.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Asymptomatic bacteriuria (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Catheter-associated UTI (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Cystitis – acute (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Leukocyte esterase urine test (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Urinary tract infection – adults (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Urinary tract infection – children (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Urine – bloody (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Urine culture (Medical Encyclopedia)