Jock Itch

The US is witnessing a rise in cases of the rare genital fungus, TMVII, which causes jock itch, particularly among men who have sex with men.

Stephen Schroeder hoped his story would both warn other men not to brush off a seemingly trivial ailment - as he had for more than a year - and spark connections with fellow EMPD patients.

Late Friday afternoon on Dec. 4, 2014, Stephen Schroeder was waiting to board his packed flight from Philadelphia to Las Vegas for a much anticipated long weekend with his son when his cellphone rang. On the line was an unexpected caller: his doctor, reporting test results sooner than Schroeder had expected.

The US is witnessing a rise in cases of the rare genital fungus, TMVII, which causes jock itch, particularly among men who have sex with men.

Stephen Schroeder hoped his story would both warn other men not to brush off a seemingly trivial ailment - as he had for more than a year - and spark connections with fellow EMPD patients.

Late Friday afternoon on Dec. 4, 2014, Stephen Schroeder was waiting to board his packed flight from Philadelphia to Las Vegas for a much anticipated long weekend with his son when his cellphone rang. On the line was an unexpected caller: his doctor, reporting test results sooner than Schroeder had expected.