Trichomoniasis doesn’t cause HIV or automatically lead to HIV. But having trich can make it easier for HIV to enter the body after exposure.

Trichomoniasis (often shortened to “trich”) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), trich can cause inflammation, small sores, and changes to the genital tissues, which can give HIV an easier way to enter the bloodstream.

Someone with untreated trich who has sex without a condom or another barrier method with someone with HIV may have a higher risk of contracting HIV than someone without trich.

Early treatment for trich can help lower this risk.

Research shows a strong connection between trich and a higher HIV risk. According to a 2018 review, trich increases the risk of contracting HIV by 1.5 times.

The inflammation caused by trich increases the number of immune cells in the genital area. HIV can target these immune cells, making infection more likely. Also, small breaks in the skin caused by trich make it easier for HIV to enter the body.

Yes, trich’s transmission route and how HIV risk increases can depend on the type of sex:

  • Vaginal sex: Trich most commonly affects the vagina and can increase HIV risk during vaginal sex.
  • Penis-in-anus sex: Trich can infect the rectum, although this is less common. Inflammation and small sores in the rectum can also raise HIV risk.
  • Oral sex: Trich doesn’t transmit through oral sex often, and HIV transmission risk is also lower with oral sex than with vaginal or anal sex.

However, trich can also be transmissible through genital touching. It’s worth noting that any sex act can transmit trich.

Yes, having trich can make it easier to get or pass on other STIs, not just HIV.

When the genital tissues are inflamed or irritated, a person is more susceptible to infections like:

Trich can also make symptoms of other STIs worse if someone has an infection already.

Getting early STI testing and treatment helps lower the risk of complications and passing on infections.

People can do a lot to protect themselves and their partners from infections.

They can consider the following:

  • Using condoms or dental dams: These barriers can help lower the risk of passing or getting trich and other STIs during vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
  • Getting regular testing: Routine STI testing is key, even if someone doesn’t have symptoms. Many STIs, including trich, often don’t cause noticeable signs.
  • Completing treatment: Trich is usually treatable with a single dose or a short course of prescription antibiotics like metronidazole or tinidazole. People must complete their treatment, even if they feel better quickly.
  • Making sure partners get treatment: If someone receives a trich diagnosis, any sexual partners must get treatment, too, even if they don’t have symptoms. Otherwise, it’s easier to pass the infection back and forth.
  • Avoiding sex until treatment is complete: Before having sex again, people must wait until they and their partners complete treatment and are symptom-free.

It’s also a good idea for people to talk with a healthcare team if they’re worried about HIV risk. They may recommend preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) — a daily pill that helps prevent HIV if someone may have a higher risk.

Trichomoniasis doesn’t turn into HIV but can make it easier for HIV to enter the body after exposure. Treating trich early and practicing sex with a condom or another barrier method can help lower the risk of HIV and other infections.

If someone receives a trich diagnosis, they must complete the treatment, encourage partners to get tested, and follow up with their healthcare team about any concerns. Early care can protect their health and help them feel better faster.