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Can trichomoniasis be dormant?
Hello, In November 2009, I was diagnosed with trich. I was in a rocky relationship at the time, and confronted my then partner. He denied he slept with anyone else. Yet, I broke it off. In Feb 2010, I went for my papsmear, and everything came back fine. Today, I'm with a different partner, yet I was diagnosed with trich again. I have no idea what to believe. The nurse practitioner in my gyno's office said that it is possible that the Flagyl did not cure the trich. She said that the protozoans that she saw were inactive except for one. She also said that they could have not tested for trich when I got my papsmear last year. (She could be lying). I have no reason to believe that my partner gave this to me. But I also have no way in convincing him that I've been faithful when I cannot fathom how this did not appear sooner. My new partner and I have been sexually active since April of 2010. Please help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, trichomonas infection can be present without symptoms ("dormant") for many years, in men, women, or both. Your infection does not imply that you or your partner has cheated; you might have been infected for years, or perhaps your partner had it without symptoms and brought it into the relationship. As I said, you'll probably never know exactly when you were infected and you'll go crazy if you keep trying. I strongly recommend you stop trying to figure it out.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum.
The standard treatment for trichomonas is a single dose of metronidazole (the most common trade name is Flagyl). It is only about 90% effective -- in other words, persistent infection occurs in one in 10 treated women. The recommended management in such cases is a longer course of either metronidazole (e.g. 500 mg 3 times daily for 5-7 days) or a few days treatment with tinidazole (Tindamax). In addition, your current partner needs to be treated, even if asymptomatic. Since you might have a slightly resistant strain, it would be reasonable for him to also receive several days of metronidazole or tinidazole, instead of a single dose. But these treatments should take care of it.
As to when you originally were infected with trich, it is really impossible to know. It could even have been well before November 2009.
Discuss this with your NP and let me know if you have any further questions. But don't let this bother you much. Trich is an inconvenience, not a serious health threat -- and it will clear up with more intensive treatment.
Happy new year-- HHH, MD
The standard treatment for trichomonas is a single dose of metronidazole (the most common trade name is Flagyl). It is only about 90% effective -- in other words, persistent infection occurs in one in 10 treated women. The recommended management in such cases is a longer course of either metronidazole (e.g. 500 mg 3 times daily for 5-7 days) or a few days treatment with tinidazole (Tindamax). In addition, your current partner needs to be treated, even if asymptomatic. Since you might have a slightly resistant strain, it would be reasonable for him to also receive several days of metronidazole or tinidazole, instead of a single dose. But these treatments should take care of it.
As to when you originally were infected with trich, it is really impossible to know. It could even have been well before November 2009.
Discuss this with your NP and let me know if you have any further questions. But don't let this bother you much. Trich is an inconvenience, not a serious health threat -- and it will clear up with more intensive treatment.
Happy new year-- HHH, MD
A related discussion, Can trich reoccur a year later after being treated? was started.
A related discussion, long term relationship was started.
Because I am extremely upset about this, I do have another question(s). How is it possible for me to have gone so long with no symptoms? Can this parasite be dormant for months or years? I just want to be sure because as I said above, I have no reason to suspect my partner of cheating (kinda was hoping he was The ONE). I hope he has no reason to suspect me of cheating as well. Is there any research out there I can find out there to prove my case if I have to?
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