Trichomoniasis: The Most Common Curable STD in U.S. Affects 7.4 Million Annually

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- During National Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Awareness Month this April, Mission Pharmacal is urging increased awareness of, and testing for, trichomoniasis (also known as "trich"), the most common curable STD in the United States. Awareness of the condition remains low, despite the fact that trich affects an estimated 7.4 million men and women each year in the United States, compared with 3 million cases of chlamydia and 700,000 cases of gonorrhea annually.

If left untreated, trich can lead to more serious health problems in both men and women, including increasing the likelihood of HIV acquisition and transmission. In women, untreated trich may contribute to an increased risk of infertility, cervical cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, preterm birth and postoperative infection. The consequences of untreated trich in men include decreased sperm count and movement, increased risk of infertility, and chronic pain in the prostate or pelvic region.

Because trich is generally asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic, people often don't know they are infected. This lack of awareness often leads to a delay in seeking treatment, thereby increasing the likelihood that the untreated infection will be passed on to others. A recent study of trich-infected women found that more than 71 percent of their male partners were also infected, although most of the men did not show symptoms. (1)

"Despite its prevalence and the consequences of leaving it untreated, routine testing is not being conducted for trichomoniasis," stated Dr. Jane Schwebke, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "Because patients may not experience symptoms when infected, healthcare providers need to be vigilant about testing sexually active patients, and patients should request testing if they suspect they are at risk."

Fortunately, trich can be cured with a one-day, one-dose regimen of Tindamax(R) (tinidazole). Tindamax(R) is administered orally in a single 2-gram dose, and has demonstrated cure rates of 92 to 100 percent. In addition, Tindamax(R) is recognized as one of the drugs of choice for the treatment of trichomoniasis in the recently issued 2006 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines (http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sexual partners should be treated simultaneously for maximum efficacy and prevention of re-infection.

Reference:

1. A.C. Sena, W.C. Miller, M.M. Hobbs, J.R. Schwebke, P.A. Leone, H. Swygard, J. Atashili, and M. Cohen. Trichomoniasis vaginalis Infection in Male Sexual Partners: Implications for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. Clinical Infections Diseases 2007; 44: 13-22.

Source: Mission Pharmacal