Never heard of this one
American health officials have issued a warning following a spike of genital fungus cases in New York City earlier this year.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a note posted Oct. 31, reports the fungus, Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII), “can be spread through sex and might require prolonged treatment.”
According to the CDC, the first U.S. case was reported in June and four additional cases were diagnosed between April and July in New York City among men who have sex with men.
The fungus, which causes genital tinea or “jock itch” and may be confused for eczema, psoriasis, or other skin conditions, can infect the face, buttocks, or genitals.
It may cause “inflamed, painful, and persistent lesions that can lead to scarring or secondary bacterial infection,” the CDC advised.
However, health officials say the fungus can be successfully treated with antifungal medications.
Officials trace the fungus to men who travelled to Southeast Asia for sex tourism and, more recently, to France since March 2021.
“In June 2024, a TMVII case in the United States was reported in a man who developed genital lesions after traveling to several countries in Europe and to California and who had sexual contact with multiple men while travelling,” the CDC said.
“Clinicians subsequently alerted public health officials of additional patients in the United States who had laboratory-confirmed TMVII infection.”
The four additional cases were among men in their 30s who reported recent sexual contact with other men.
“Health care providers should be aware that TMVII can spread through sexual contact and cause lesions on the genitals, buttocks, face, trunk, or extremities,” the report states. “Health care providers should advise patients with TMVII infection about the importance of avoiding skin-to-skin contact with affected areas and not sharing personal items until symptom resolution.”
torontosun.com
American health officials have issued a warning following a spike of genital fungus cases in New York City earlier this year.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a note posted Oct. 31, reports the fungus, Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII), “can be spread through sex and might require prolonged treatment.”
According to the CDC, the first U.S. case was reported in June and four additional cases were diagnosed between April and July in New York City among men who have sex with men.
The fungus, which causes genital tinea or “jock itch” and may be confused for eczema, psoriasis, or other skin conditions, can infect the face, buttocks, or genitals.
It may cause “inflamed, painful, and persistent lesions that can lead to scarring or secondary bacterial infection,” the CDC advised.
However, health officials say the fungus can be successfully treated with antifungal medications.
Officials trace the fungus to men who travelled to Southeast Asia for sex tourism and, more recently, to France since March 2021.
“In June 2024, a TMVII case in the United States was reported in a man who developed genital lesions after traveling to several countries in Europe and to California and who had sexual contact with multiple men while travelling,” the CDC said.
“Clinicians subsequently alerted public health officials of additional patients in the United States who had laboratory-confirmed TMVII infection.”
The four additional cases were among men in their 30s who reported recent sexual contact with other men.
“Health care providers should be aware that TMVII can spread through sexual contact and cause lesions on the genitals, buttocks, face, trunk, or extremities,” the report states. “Health care providers should advise patients with TMVII infection about the importance of avoiding skin-to-skin contact with affected areas and not sharing personal items until symptom resolution.”
Genital fungus sees spike in New York City: CDC
American health officials have issued a warning following a spike of genital fungus cases in New York City earlier this year.
torontosun.com
