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STDs (Expert Forum)
Is this an STD or other possibility
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Is this an STD or other possibility
by FLelb, Jul 20, 2007 12:00AM
Doctor I am a 62 year old woman. I recently visited my GYN because of a vaginal discharge and she said that I have trichamonis and that it an STD. My husband of 40 years is devasated as am I. There is no way I've been unfaithful and neither has he. We're retired and spend virtually every minute together. Please tell me that there must be another explanation. Thank you so much.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jul 20, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 20, 2007 12:00AM
Your situation is very common and I will try to help. Epidemiologically, there are 2 age peaks in the frequency of trichomoniasis: from age 18 to 30 and against in women from age 45-70. At least some of the latter are due to late diagnosis of chronic, perhaps almost lifelong asymptomatic infection. Others might be due to occurrence of similar organisms that can reside in the intestine, getting into the vagina. Others can be misdiagnosis (although this depends a bit on exactly what test method your gynecologist used). Finally, the probably are some exceptions to sexual acquisition of trichomonas. What the source might be in those exceptions isn't known. But your sort of story is common enough that this must happen some of the time. (I'll bet your gynecologist has seen other cases just like yours.)
Bottom line: Your husband needs treatment; regardless of the source, this is necessary to assure you don't get reinfected. But otherwise, if you and your husband both are confident in your fidelity, then I suggest you just put this behind you and chalk it up to an unexplained case.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Bottom line: Your husband needs treatment; regardless of the source, this is necessary to assure you don't get reinfected. But otherwise, if you and your husband both are confident in your fidelity, then I suggest you just put this behind you and chalk it up to an unexplained case.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
