According to experts, a great many people (approximately one million) around the planet every year are faced with infections, directly transmitted sexually. Trichomoniasis is no exception. This disease is one of the infectious diseases. If the patient promptly seeks help from a doctor, the probability of recovery is almost 100%. Do not underestimate the seriousness of this disease, which the stronger sex most often does not pay attention to. Such a harmless, but only at first glance, disease that does not show clinical signs for a long time can very soon cause the development of inflammatory processes and even lead to infertility.
Description of the disease
Trichomoniasis (modern name - trichomoniasis) is a disease of the genitourinary system provoked by the protozoan unicellular parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. The causative agent of the disease is able to live exclusively in the genitourinary tract, as a result, it almost never leads to damage to other systems of internal organs.
Trichomoniasis in men is a fairly common pathology, infection withwhich occurs mainly during intimacy. However, scientists are aware of cases of domestic infection (through common washcloths, towels, sponges).
In the case of urogenital trichomoniasis, not only the urethra is affected, but also the prostate gland. The causative agent of infection, penetrating from the urethra directly into the seminal ducts and epididymis, contributes to the development of inflammatory processes in this area. Thus, it becomes clear that this disease requires competent and timely treatment.
Pathogen
Trichomoniasis in men occurs due to the active life of the parasite vaginal Trichomonas (Trichomonas vaginalis). This is not a bacterium, but a real single-celled animal. That is why most modern antibacterial drugs do not have a special effect on it. Trichomonas vaginalis is a so-called obligate human parasite that lives in the urethra in men and in the vagina in women, but in some cases it can even penetrate the upper parts of the human genitourinary system. Below are its main features:
- Outside the human body, the parasite can only live for a couple of hours and only if moisture is constantly maintained.
- Dies quickly when exposed to extreme heat or sunlight.
- Some sexually transmitted infections can create excellent conditions for the reproduction of Trichomonas.
- The causative agent of the disease is distinguished by its ability to evade the control of the immune system,masquerading as normal body cells.
Main entry routes
As noted above, trichomoniasis in men is an infectious disease. The main route of its transmission is sexual. The source of infection can be a sick person or the so-called trichomonas carrier.
From a theoretical point of view, it is possible to be infected by contact-household, but this option is unlikely. The thing is that the causative agent of infection is practically unable to survive outside the human body.
Causes of infection
Currently, scientists distinguish not only vaginal, but also other types of Trichomonas. There are about 50 of them in total, but only three species can parasitize in the human body (Vaginal, intestinal, oral Trichomonas). The last two options are not the cause of the development of the disease among men, since they have nothing to do with the genitourinary system.
Like many other diseases of a venereal nature, which even in the 21st century medicine is not able to completely eradicate, trichomoniasis in men is sexually transmitted. That is why the previously infected sexual partner, as a rule, acts as a source of infection. The cause that provoked the development of this disease can be any of the sexual contacts. Of course, the leading position in this matter is occupied by sexual relations.
As soon as a small parasite enters the genitourinary system, it is immediately attached with the help of flagella to the nearestcage and lingers on it, only after that active reproduction begins.
Incubation period
In the first day of infection, this disease is almost impossible to confirm in the laboratory. This is because the incubation period is usually asymptomatic. It can last from two days (if immunity is weakened or there are other diseases of a venereal nature) and up to two months. At this time, there are no signs of trichomoniasis in men. After the end of the incubation period, the disease moves to an early stage of development. As a rule, at this time, the doctor, through a variety of diagnostic methods, can confirm the presence of a problem.
Classification
The following forms of the disease are distinguished by the nature of the course:
- Fresh form. The duration of the disease does not exceed two months. This type, in turn, is divided into the following forms: acute; subacute; torpid.
- Chronic form. The duration of the disease exceeds two months. Symptoms of trichomoniasis in men in this case are almost always absent, periods of exacerbation can be replaced by a rather long remission.
- Trichomonas carriage. This is the asymptomatic form. For a long time, the man does not suspect that he is a carrier of the infection, and continues to infect his partners.
This is the most common classification, thanks to which it is possible to determine the exact stage of trichomoniasis in men.
Symptoms
Treatment for this disease usually starts very late. This is due to the fact that the primary clinical signs, even with a visual examination by a specialist, often go unnoticed. The symptoms of the disease are often hidden deep inside, and in the first few days after the infection enters the body directly, they practically do not manifest themselves. Otherwise, this situation is called Trichomonas carriage.
However, doctors still identify a group of signs that are characteristic of this problem. How does trichomoniasis in men manifest?
- Sharp pain during urination, burning sensation.
- Appearance of non-specific discharge from the urethra (pus, mucus, etc.).
- Presence of blood threads in semen and urine.
- Frequent urge to urinate, which is often false.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of this disease often causes some difficulties, as it is often asymptomatic. We list the main diagnostic methods below:
- Microscopy of the test material. The doctor takes a swab from the urethra, places the contents on a glass slide, and then examines it in detail under a microscope.
- Cultural method (inoculation of secretions using special media).
- PCR diagnostics.
- Immunoassay. This diagnostic method is rarely used today, as the results often turn out to be false positive.
Only after a full examination, the doctor canconfirm trichomoniasis in men.
Treatment
Drugs to combat this disease should be prescribed exclusively by a specialist, or rather a urologist or venereologist. It is not recommended to engage in treatment on your own, as this can lead to the transition of the disease into a chronic form with complications. Therapy in this case is complex.
- First of all, antitrichomonas drugs ("Ornidazole", "Metronidazole", "Nimorazole") are prescribed.
- In order to protect the liver from the damaging effects of the above drugs, the so-called hepatoprotectors ("Silymarin", "Artichoke", "Silibin") are prescribed.
- For greater bioavailability of antiprotozoal drugs, enzymes are used inside the cell itself (Wobenzym, Serratiopeptidase).
- To improve the protective function of the body, various immunomodulators are prescribed ("Lavomax", "Polyoxidonium", "Introbion").
- For the prevention of dysbacteriosis, it is advisable to take "Linex", "Laktovit" or "Hilak".
According to experts, the most effective medicine for trichomoniasis in men at the moment is Metronidazole. The drug has been actively used to combat the disease for more than half a century. In an uncomplicated form, in some cases, a single dose of the drug (2 g) is sufficient. Depending on the patient's condition, a weekly course of treatment may be offered. In this case, the tablets are taken twice a day for seven days. The drug is quickly distributed throughout the body, creatinga sufficiently high concentration of the active substance in the breeding grounds of the pathogen. Unfortunately, not all men are suitable for this medication, as it has side effects. Many report heaviness in the stomach, dizziness, vomiting.
What every patient should know?
It is necessary to know how to treat trichomoniasis in men, but it is equally important to take into account the following points, if not observed, the effectiveness of therapy will be negligible.
- This disease should be treated regardless of its form and presence of symptoms. Otherwise, the likelihood of complications is very high.
- Trichomoniasis is a disease affecting two partners. That is why the examination should be carried out by both men and women. Otherwise, the therapy will be ineffective.
- Strong immunity to this disease, as a rule, is not observed. Re-infection is possible.
- The most important factor in successful treatment is compliance with all doctor's recommendations.
- Self-treatment of trichomoniasis in men is unacceptable. The thing is that improperly selected drugs can only aggravate the current situation, blur the clinical picture, provoke complications.
- Virtually all drugs used to combat this ailment change how alcohol is used in the body. This means that the use of alcoholic beverages, even in small quantities, during treatment is highly undesirable.
Complications
In medicinethere are cases when the symptoms of trichomoniasis in men were absent, but the causative agent of infection in small quantities was still in the body. Moreover, patients self-healed without the use of drugs. In fact, such cases of healing are extremely rare. Much more often, the disease provokes the development of rather serious complications. It can be both inconvenience in the genital area, and more dangerous diseases. The most common is prostatitis. Some experts are convinced that trichomoniasis can provoke the formation of tumors of a malignant nature.
Unconditional remains the fact that Trichomonas vaginalis, acting directly on the genitals, reduce immune defenses. Thus, the urethra becomes open to various kinds of pathogenic microorganisms (for example, for gonococci). Moreover, it is among infected patients that HIV is diagnosed very often.
If the treatment of trichomoniasis in men was not prescribed on time, the likelihood of developing prostatitis increases. It can occur both asymptomatically and with noticeable reddening of the penis.
If a man managed to overcome trichomoniasis, there is no reason to hope that the body will develop permanent immunity to it. At the next meeting with a pathogenic microorganism, as a rule, inflammatory processes begin again, which requires a second appeal to the appropriate specialist.
How to warndisease?
Prevention of trichomoniasis (trichomoniasis) in men implies, first of all, complete abstinence from casual intimate relationships, as well as the use of condoms. If intimacy does occur, it is necessary to wash the genitals under warm running water using a special antibacterial soap. It is extremely important to immediately seek medical advice, take tests and, if necessary, complete a full course of treatment. Note that a regular comprehensive examination is also the prevention of trichomoniasis and other ailments that are directly transmitted sexually.
Conclusion
In this article, we talked in as much detail as possible about what constitutes a disease of trichomoniasis in men. Symptoms, treatment and the main causes of this disease should not be ignored. We hope that all the information presented in this article will be really useful for you. Stay he althy!
