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Doctors Report First U.S. Cases of Sexually Transmitted Ringworm Rash

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 31, 2024.

By Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Oct. 31, 2024 -- 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."tri: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Oct. 31, 2024

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted October 2024

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