Don't Know How To Tell You This, But The First Case of Ringworm Transmitted Through Sex Has Been Recorded in The US
And It is ‘Highly Contagious’
A New York man became the first to contract a new form of ringworm transmitted through sex and considered highly contagious. This information is important for all people who are sexually active and not currently monogamous. That includes people in their 50’s and 60’s who are getting STD’s at a very high rate as they have returned to the dating pool in record numbers.
The fungus — ringworm, despite its name, is not actually a worm but rather a rash, was spread through sexual contact, according to a new study.
It is the latest in a group of severe skin infections to have now reached the United States. The strain, called Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII, has been on the rise in Europe, in particular among men who have sex with men. Doctors in France reported 13 cases of the fungus last year, according to NBC News.
The man who has it reportedly developed a rash on his penis, buttocks and his limbs as a result of the infection.
The strain, called Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII, has been on the rise in Europe, in particular among men who have sex with men. Doctors in France reported 13 cases of the fungus last year, according to NBC News.
The man who contracted the disease had previously traveled to England, Greece and California, and said he had sexual encounters during his trips. But, he said, he did not notice similar skin conditions in any of his partners.
Since patients are often reluctant to discuss genital problems, physicians need to directly ask about rashes around the groin and buttocks, especially for those who are sexually active, have recently traveled abroad, and report itchy areas elsewhere on the body. The rashes could be mistaken for the lesions caused by eczema so if you suddenly have a rash you have never experienced, you should call your physician especially if you have been having sex with new or multiple partners, have itchy areas of the skin that will not go away, and or traveled abroad.
The infections could be treated with typical antifungal medicines, but the rashes could last for months before they're fully cleared.
The man who has it had to take medicine for four months before his infection ended. He was prescribed fluconazole for four weeks, then another six weeks of terbinafine and another eight weeks of itraconazole, all of which are oral anti-fungals.
The cases of the fungus are rare in the US at the moment. Hopefully they will stay that way.