Trichomoniasis to HIV: Is it possible?

Trichomoniasis (trich) may not turn into HIV. However, having trich may increase a person’s risk of contracting HIV or passing HIV to their partner.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, trich is a highly common sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, the organization notes that only around 30% of people with trich develop symptoms. Those who experience symptoms tend to notice them within 5 to 28 days of infection. That said, others may not develop symptoms until later.

Without treatment, trich infections can last months or even years. The infection can cause genital inflammation, which can increase the risk of contracting HIV or passing it to a partner.

Trich is treatableTrusted Source with antibiotics. Any sexual partners of someone with this infection also need to undergo treatment. It is important to consider that a person can still contract trich following treatment. The CDC states that 1 in 5 people reacquire a trich infection within 3 months of treatment.

A person can help minimize the risk of trich, HIV, or other STIs by taking proper precautions before having vaginal, oral, or anal sex. These approaches include:

• being in a long-term monogamous sexual relationship with someone without trich or another STI
• properly using a condom or other barrier method for each sexual encounter
• talking about the potential risks of STIs before having sex with a new partner