New
site provides non-viral STD info
By
Starr T. Balmer
Online Forty-Niner
City Editor
Presutti Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company, created the first major Web
site for Trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease
in the United States.
Unlike other STD’s, little information is available about this disease,
which is why the Chicago-based company produced a Web site that gives physicians
and the public in-depth and detailed information about its causes, numerous
symptoms, various diagnosis and effective treatments. In addition, it gives
the history of trichomoniasis and a complete summary of the disease.
Trichomoniasis is caused by the parasitic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis,
which can be transmitted sexually to both men and women, the Web site stated.
Symptoms in women include excessive yellow or greenish discharge, odor and
itching. Men may experience urethral discharge and itching. However, many that
are infected are asymptomatic and produce no symptoms.
There are an estimated 7.4 million trichomoniasis cases each year in the United
States, with more than 180 million cases reported worldwide, the Web site said.
“There is a lack of information available talking about the disease prevalence
and diagnosis of the disease,” said Dawn Flynn, Vice President of Presutti
Laboratories. “It is a dedicated Web site to this one particular sexually
transmitted disease.”
The site also gives information about possible complications people may face
with the disease, with topics such as “Trichomoniasis and Pregnancy Risks” and “Trichomoniasis
Association with HIV Concentration in Semen of Men.”
The site stated in a 2003 study performed that at a college clinic, 4.8 percent
of women were infected with trichomoniasis, 2.8 percent with Chlamydia, and
1.4 percent with gonorrhea. Additionally, a 2000 study showed 7.5 percent and
11.1 percent of males who visited an STD clinic in Denver and Seattle respectively
were infected with the disease.
“Unlike Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes and HVP, for example, there have been
associated risks with the development of those STDs that have been going on for
many years,” Flynn said.”“That information is only beginning
to emerge for trichomoniasis.”
Even though Presutti Laboratories promotes the Web site through health magazines
and newspapers, Flynn said she hopes the Web site will attract viewers to use
the site to gain more knowledge of the disease and attract national organizations
like Planned Parenthood Federation and Center for Disease Control to provide
trichomoniasis links on their Web sites.
The Web site can be viewed at www.trichomoniasis.net. |
