First U.S. Case of Sexually Transmitted Ringworm Detected

Health officials in New York City have reported the first U.S. case of a rare sexually transmitted ringworm, trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII), in a man who had traveled to England, Greece, and California. The infection, which causes a red, itchy rash similar to eczema, took over four months to clear with antifungal treatments. While the public is advised not to be alarmed, doctors are encouraged to ask patients about genital rashes, especially those who are sexually active and have traveled recently.