In addition to all the other nasty bugs floating around, like COVID, flu and RSV, health experts are raising the alarm about a sharp rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The World Health Organization estimates more than 1 million STIs are acquired every day worldwide, the majority of which don't cause symptoms. Meanwhile, preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counted 2.5 million cases of syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea in 2021, all on a steep rise compared to previous years.
Some experts are particularly concerned about a tiny bacteria called Mycoplasma genitalium, sometimes shortened to Mgen, which usually doesn't cause any symptoms. However, when it does, Mgen can trigger pain or discomfort while urinating or abnormal discharges and lead to more serious health problems. And unfortunately, while syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV are all typically tested for in a standard STI test, Mgen isn't.
