Trichomoniasis Health Dictionary

An antimicrobial drug particularly active against anaerobic (see ANAEROBE) bacteria and PROTOZOA. Given by mouth, by rectum or intravenously, it is used to treat infections of the urinary, genital, and digestive systems – for example, TRICHOMONIASIS, amoebiasis (see DYSENTERY), GIARDIASIS, and acute ulcerative GINGIVITIS, and is a useful treatment for dental abscesses. Topically, it is used in the management of ROSACEA and it reduces the odour produced by anaerobic bacteria in fungating tumours.

It may cause a DISULFIRAM-like reaction with alcohol; caution is similarly indicated in patients with impaired liver function or hepatic encephalopathy, and who are pregnant or breast feeding. Rare side-effects include nausea, vomiting, unpleasant taste, furred tongue and gastrointestinal disturbances; rashes, URTICARIA, and angio-oedema (see under URTICARIA); drowsiness, headache, dizziness, ATAXIA and ANAPHYLAXIS.... metronidazole

Discharge of mucus from the VAGINA. It may be whitish or yellowish and is normal in some women, usually increasing before and after MENSTRUATION. It is distinct from abnormal discharges with an o?ensive smell and yellow or green colouring: these may be caused by micro-organisms or by fungal infection such as Candida albicans. Another causative agent is the protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis (see TRICHOMONIASIS). A pessary or tampon that a woman has forgotten to remove will cause a substantial and o?ensive discharge. Children rarely have vaginal discharge; if they do, it is usually due to an infection or foreign body in the vagina. (See also UTERUS, DISEASES OF.)... leucorrhoea

Sexually transmitted diseases – traditionally called venereal diseases – are infections transmitted by sexual intercourse (heterosexual and homosexual). In the United Kingdom they are treated in genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics. The incidences of these diseases are more common among people who have several sexual partners, as STDs are very infectious; some of the major STDs, particularly AIDS/HIV, are also transmitted by blood and so can result from needle-sharing by drug addicts, or by TRANSFUSION. The ‘traditional’ STDs – SYPHILIS, GONORRHOEA and CHANCROID – now comprise only 10 per cent of all such diseases treated in STD clinics: these clinics also treat patients with CHLAMYDIA, TRICHOMONIASIS, HERPES GENITALIS, MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM and genital WARTS. SCABIES and pubic lice (see PEDICULOSIS – Pediculus pubis) can also be transmitted by sexual intercourse, and HEPATITIS B is also recognised as an STD.

The incidence of STDs rose sharply during World War II but the advent of PENICILLIN and subsequent antibiotics meant that syphilis and gonorrhoea could be treated e?ectively. The arrival of oral contraception and more tolerant public attitudes to sexual activities resulted in an increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted infections. The diagnosis of NONSPECIFIC URETHRITIS (NSU), once given to many patients whose symptoms were not due to the traditional recognised infections, was in the 1970s realised to be wrong, as the condition was proved to be the result of infection by chlamydia.

Most STDs are treatable, but herpes is an infection that could become chronic, while hepatitis B and, of course, AIDS/HIV are potentially fatal – although treatment of HIV is now proving more e?ective. As well as the treatment and subsequent monitoring of patients with STDs, one of the important functions of clinics has been the tracing, treatment and follow-up of sexual contacts of infected individuals, a procedure that is conducted con?dentially.

Apart from AIDS/HIV, the incidence of STDs fell during the 1980s; however in some countries the agents causing syphilis and gonorrhoea began to develop resistance to antibiotics, which showed the continued importance of practising safe sex – in particular by restricting the number of sexual partners and ensuring the regular use of condoms. In the United Kingdom the rates per million of the male population infected by syphilis rose from 8.8 in 1991 to 9.7 in 1999; in females the ?gures were 4.0 to 4.5, respectively. For gonorrhoea, the ?gures for men were 399.4 in 1991 and 385 in 1999, with women also showing a reduction, from

216.5 to 171.3. In 1991, 552.6 per million of men had chlamydia, a ?gure which rose to

829.5 in 1999; for women in the same period the incidence also rose, from 622.5 to 1,077.1 per million. For genital herpes simplex virus, the infection rate for men fell from 236.6 per million to 227.7, whereas the ?gures for women showed a rise, 258.5 to 357. The incidence of AIDS/HIV is given under the relevant entry. (These ?gures are based on information in United Kingdom Health Statistics, 2001 edition, UKHSI, published by the O?ce of National Statistics.)... sexually transmitted diseases (stds)

The simplest, most primitive type of animal, consisting of a single cell. All protozoa are bigger than bacteria but are still microscopic. About 30 types of protozoa

are human parasites, including those that are responsible for

Endoplasmic malaria, amoebiasis, reticulum giardiasis, sleeping sickness, trichomoniasis, toxoplasmosis, and leishmaniasis.... protozoa

(STIs) Infections transmitted primarily, but not exclusively, by sexual intercourse. Common STIs include chlamydial infections, genital herpes, pubic lice, genital warts, trichomoniasis, syphilis, gonorrhoea, and HIV infection. Antibiotics can be used to treat most bacterial STIs. Confidential tracing and treatment of an affected person’s partners is an essential part of the management of STIs (see contact tracing).

Practising safer sex can help prevent STIs.... sexually transmitted infections

Inflammation of the vagina that may be caused by infection, commonly by the fungus CANDIDA ALBICANS (see candidiasis), the parasite TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS (see trichomoniasis), or bacteria. After the menopause the vaginal lining becomes fragile and prone to inflammation. This is called atrophic vaginitis and is due to a reduction in the production of oestrogen hormones.

Infections are treated with antibiotics or antifungal drugs. In cases of allergy, irritants should be avoided. Any foreign body is removed. Atrophic vaginitis is treated with oestrogen drugs. (See also vulvitis; vulvovaginitis.)... vaginitis

n. a genus of parasitic flagellate protozoans that move by means of a wavy membrane, bearing a single flagellum, projecting from the body surface. T. vaginalis often infects the vagina, where it may cause severe irritation and a foul-smelling discharge (see vaginitis), and sometimes also the male *urethra; it can be transmitted during sexual intercourse. T. hominis and T. tenax live in the large intestine and mouth respectively. See also trichomoniasis.... trichomonas

Inflammation of the glans penis and prepuce.

Symptoms: soreness, itching, sometimes burning.

Aetiology: psoriasis, trichomoniasis, candida, drug reactions, sexually transmitted disease. In diabetes, balanitis is a possibility from irritation by urine. Often associated with phimosis: tightness of the foreskin. Analogous with the clitoris.

Alternatives. Teas or Decoctions. Blood root, Echinacea, Garlic, Goldenseal, Gravel root, Kava-Kava, Myrrh, Wild Indigo, Rosemary, Parsley root, Sarsaparilla.

Tablets/capsules. Echinacea. Sarsaparilla. Goldenseal. Chaparral.

Powders. Equal parts: Kava-Kava, Myrrh, Goldenseal. Mix. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Liquid extracts. Combine Echinacea 2; Myrrh half; Goldenseal half. Mix. 15-60 drops 3 times daily, in water.

Practitioner. Tincture Blood root, BHP (1983) 5ml . . . Tincture Gravel root BHP (1983) 20ml . . . Tincture Goldenseal BPC (1949) 5ml . . . Decoction Sarsaparilla Co Conc, BPC, to 100ml. Sig: 5ml (3i) tds Aq cal. pc. (A. Barker)

Topical (1) For cleansing after retraction of foreskin: one drop Tincture Myrrh to one ounce (30ml) Distilled extract of Witch Hazel. (2) Aloe Vera gel. (3) Eucalyptus oil, dilute many times. ... balanitis

Allium sativum L. German: Knoblauch. French: Ail. Italian: Aglio. Arabic: Som. Indian: Lashuna. Chinese: Swan. Iranian: Sir. Malayan: Bawang puteh. Bulb. Contains allicin, amino acids; iodine, selenium, sulphur and other minerals. Pliny, of ancient Rome, advised Garlic for more than 60 different health problems. A valued medicament to the civilisations of China, Egypt, Chaldea and Greece. Constituents: volatile oils, B group vitamins, minerals.

Action: antibiotic, bacteriostatic, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, anti-carcinogen, antispasmodic, antiseptic, fungicide, anti-thrombic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, hypoglycaemia, hypotensor, expectorant, anthelmintic. A wide range of anti-infection activity reported. Hypolipidaemic. Non-sedating antihistamine. Anticoagulant – reduces blood platelet clumping, raises HDL. Lowers total cholesterol after a fatty meal in normal subjects. As a vasodilator tends to reduce blood pressure. Bacteria do not become resistant to it. (Dr Stephen Fulder) Detoxifier.

Uses: Prevents build-up of cholesterol in the blood. Lowers a too high blood pressure and raises one too low. Beneficial in thrombosis and arteriosclerosis.

“Helps clear fat accumulating in blood vessels, reducing the tendency to heart disease: also can drastically reduce the level of sugar in the blood, which could help diabetics.” (Lancet i 607, 1979)

Bronchitis (loosening phlegm), asthma, cough, whooping cough and as a preventative of influenza and colds. Sinusitis; catarrh of the stomach, throat and nose. Catarrhal discharge from the eyes returning every night; catarrhal deafness. Intestinal worms. To stimulate bile for digestion of fats. Mucous colitis, allergies including hay fever, ear infections, paroxysmal sneezing, candida and some other fungus infections, vaginal trichomoniasis.

“Anti-tumour activity reported.” (Y. Kimura and K. Yamamoto, Gann, 55, 325 (1964); Chem. Abstra, 63, 1089d 919650)

The therapeutically active ingredients of Garlic are the smelly ones. Deodorised Garlic has not the efficacy of the odoriferous. (Dr Stephen Fulder, JAM Feb. 1986) Chewed Parsley may mask the odour of Garlic on the breath.

Preparations: Fresh clove: eaten at meals.

Fresh juice: half-1 teaspoon in honey or water.

Capsules: one before meals or three at night to prevent infection.

Powder: 300mg capsules; 5-10 capsules twice daily during meals.

Tincture BHP (1983): 1:5 in 45 per cent alcohol. Dose, 2-4ml in water.

Compress: mashed clove or oil on suitable material.

Ear or nasal drops: pierce Garlic capsule and squeeze oil into ear or nose for infection. Notes. Source of the important trace element, Germanium. Combines well with Echinacea. ... garlic

The cervix is susceptible to injuries, infections, tumours, and other conditions. Minor injury to the cervix may occur during childbirth, particularly if labour is prolonged. Persistent damage to muscle fibres as a result of injury may lead to cervical incompetence. Cervical erosion is a condition in which mucus-secreting cells form on the outside of the cervix.

The most common cervical infections are sexually transmitted, such as gonorrhoea, chlamydial infections, and trichomoniasis.

Viral infections of the cervix include those due to the human papilloma virus and the herpes simplex virus (see warts, genital; herpes, genital).

Polyps are noncancerous growths on the cervix.

Cancerous growths (see cervix, cancer of) are preceded by changes in the surface cells (cervical dysplasias), which can be detected by a cervical smear test.... cervix, disorders of

Formerly known as nonspecific urethritis, inflammation of the urethra due to a cause other than gonorrhoea. Worldwide, nongonococcal urethritis is a very common type of sexually transmitted infection.Almost 50 per cent of cases are known to be caused by chlamydia trachomatis (see chlamydial infections); others are caused by the virus that causes herpes simplex, trichomonas vaginalis infections

(see trichomoniasis), or other microorganisms. In the remainder of cases, the cause remains unknown.

In men, the infection usually causes a clear or a purulent urethral discharge, often accompanied by pain or discomfort on passing urine. The equivalent condition in women, called nonspecific genital infection, may not cause symptoms unless there are complications.

Treatment may be difficult if the cause of symptoms cannot be determined. Antibiotic drugs, such as doxycycline and erythromycin, are given. Follow-up visits may be advised after treatment.

In men, epididymitis, prostatitis and urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra) can occur as complications of nongonococcal urethritis. Reiter’s syndrome (in which there is arthritis and conjunctivitis as well as urethritis) occurs as a complication in some men who develop nongonococcal urethritis.

In women, pelvic inflammatory disease and cysts of the Bartholin’s glands may occur. Ophthalmia neonatorum, a type of conjunctivitis, sometimes develops in babies born to women with chlamydial cervicitis.... nongonococcal urethritis

The emission of secretions from the vagina. Some mucous secretion from the vaginal walls and from the cervix is normal in the reproductive years; its amount and nature vary from woman to woman and at different times in the menstrual cycle (see menstruation). Oral contraceptives can increase or decrease the discharge. Secretions tend to be greater during pregnancy. Sexual stimulation also produces increased vaginal discharge.

Discharge may be abnormal if it is excessive, offensive-smelling, yellow or green, or if it causes itching. Abnormal discharge often accompanies vaginitis, and may be the result of infection, as in

candidiasis or trichomoniasis, or may be due to a foreign body, such as a forgotten tampon, in the vagina.... vaginal discharge

Inflammation of the vulva and vagina. Vulvovaginitis is often provoked as a result of the infections candidiasis or trichomoniasis. (See also vaginitis; vulvitis.)

walking Movement of the body by lifting the feet alternately and bringing 1 foot into contact with the ground before the other starts to leave it. A person’s gait is determined by body shape, size, and posture. The age at which children first walk varies enormously.

Walking is controlled by nerve signals from the brain’s motor cortex (see cerebrum), basal ganglia, and cerebellum that travel via the spinal cord to the muscles. Abnormal gait may be caused by joint stiffness, muscle weakness (sometimes due to conditions such as poliomyelitis or muscular dystrophy), or skeletal abnormalities (see, for example, talipes; hip, congenital dislocation of; scoliosis; bone tumour; arthritis). Children may develop knock-knee or bowleg; synovitis of the hip and Perthes’ disease are also common. Adolescents may develop a painful limp due to a slipped epiphysis (see femoral epiphysis, slipped) or to fracture or disease of the tibia, fibula or femur.

Abnormal gait may also be the result of neurological disorders such as stroke (commonly resulting in hemiplegia), parkinsonism, peripheral neuritis, multiple sclerosis, various forms of myelitis, and chorea.

Ménière’s disease may cause severe loss of balance and instability.... vulvovaginitis