TV is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a tiny parasite called trichomonas vaginalis that infects the vagina and female urethra or the male urethra (the urine tube).
TV can be spread by having unprotected sex – vulva-to-vulva or penis-to-vagina with a person who is infected. It can also be spread by sharing sex toys if you don’t wash them adequately or if you haven’t covered them with a new condom before each use or if sharing. Anyone who is sexually active can catch the infection and pass it on.
Using a condom and covering any sex toys you use with a condom, and washing sex toys after use is the best way to stop the infection from spreading from one person to another.
Symptoms can take up a month to show and some people with TV experience no symptoms. If symptoms do develop they will usually present as:
You will require a physical examination at one of our nurse-led sexual health clinics. The doctor or nurse may need to take a swab from either the vagina or penis, or a urine sample.
All of our services are free and confidential.
TV can be easily treated with antibiotics. If you are diagnosed with TV, it’s important that your sexual partner(s) are also tested.
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