N.Y. doctors report first U.S. cases of sexually transmitted ringworm

By Free Republic | Created at 2024-11-01 18:31:58 | Updated at 2024-11-05 23:35:11 4 days ago

N.Y. doctors report first U.S. cases of sexually transmitted ringworm
UPI / Health Day News ^ | October 31, 2024 | Ernie Mundell, HealthDay News

Posted on 11/01/2024 11:19:15 AM PDT by Red Badger

Doctors in New York City are describing the first known U.S. cases of sexually transmitted ringworm, which can cause a nasty rash that can take months to bring under control. Photo by A. Caplan/MMWR/HealthDay News

Doctors in New York City are describing the first known U.S. cases of sexually transmitted ringworm, which can cause a nasty rash that can take months to bring under control.

Despite the name, ringworm isn't any kind of worm but instead is a fungus, Trichophyton mentagrophytes. It's more commonly known as jock itch (when it affects the groin area) or athlete's foot, and can produce a round, itchy rash.

Until now, transmission of the fungal infection through skin-to-skin sexual contact has been rare, although cases have been reported in Southeast Asia and France since 2021, researchers reported. These have been a subtype of T. mentagrophytes called TMVII.

The new report concludes that the first U.S. case of sexually transmitted TMVII was reported in June, and "four additional TMVII infections were diagnosed during April-July 2024 in New York City among men who have sex with men."

The rash appeared "on the [patients'] face, buttocks or genitals, and was successfully treated with antifungal medications," said a team led by dermatologist Dr. Avrom Caplan, of NYU Langone Health in New York City.

His team published its findings Thursday in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a journal of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the report, all five cases of sexually transmitted ringworm so far documented in the United States involved gay or bisexual men in their 30s who had multiple sex partners.

How did TMVII make its way to the United States? That's unclear, although the man whose case of fungal infection was reported in June said he had recently traveled to several countries in Europe.

All five patients had reported recent sexual contact with other men.

In all five cases, common antifungal medications cleared up the patients' rashes.

The bottom line for clinicians, as well as sexually active people: Be aware "that TMVII can spread through sexual contact and cause lesions on the genitals, buttocks, face, trunk or extremities," Caplan's team said.

They noted that only lab tests can confirm T. mentagrophytes infection, which some people may initially mistake for "eczema, psoriasis or other dermatologic conditions."

The infection can be treated and cured, but takes time. According to the researchers, "patients might require oral antifungal therapy for up to 3 months and should take the treatment until lesions have fully resolved."

That's important, because as long as the rash is present, infected people must avoid skin-to-skin contact with others to avoid passing the infection on. They should also avoid sharing personal items, Caplan and team said.

Finally, they added, patients should resist the urge to use steroid anti-fungal creams to treat the rash, since these can "worsen tinea [ringworm] infection."

More information

Find out more about ringworm at the Mayo Clinic.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-body/symptoms-causes/syc-20353780

TOPICS: Health/Medicine; History; Military/Veterans; Society
KEYWORDS:

Dear FRiends, Our FReepathon Status:

For the time being, we will not be able to accept credit card donations, but our PayPal system still works, and of course mail-in donations still work fine.

By the way, it seems you don't need to have a PayPal account to use this feature. You can also donate by debit or credit card on the PayPal page.

Click here to donate by PayPal or credit/debit card

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you all very much, and God Bless you.

Jim and Chris

1 posted on 11/01/2024 11:19:15 AM PDT by Red Badger

To: Red Badger

2 posted on 11/01/2024 11:20:12 AM PDT by mairdie (Trump (I Will Win) - Pavarotti's Nessun Dorma - https://youtu.be/MigUKGKr-nQ)

To: Red Badger

Just one more benefit of having had millions of illegals allowed into the country

3 posted on 11/01/2024 11:21:48 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave!)

To: Red Badger

I didn’t even have to read the article to know.

Faggot are on a path to make EVERY disease an STD.

4 posted on 11/01/2024 11:22:23 AM PDT by fwdude

To: Red Badger

My neighbor’s daughter found a bunch of abandoned kittens and took them in to save. She petted them, hugged, them snuggled them and generally loved them as any kind young girl would do. Then she broke out with the worst case of ring worm the doctor that treated her had ever seen. It was all over her face, chest, arms, and stomach. It took awhile but she got over it. Poor girl!

5 posted on 11/01/2024 11:23:41 AM PDT by Sawdring

To: Red Badger

6 posted on 11/01/2024 11:24:05 AM PDT by SpaceBar

To: Red Badger

7 posted on 11/01/2024 11:28:05 AM PDT by billorites (freepo ergo sum)

To: Red Badger

If you’re hetero, stay away from liberal chicks.

8 posted on 11/01/2024 11:29:24 AM PDT by Signalman

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Read Entire Article