A common but misunderstood vaginal infection that occurs in almost one in three women worldwide is now being re-evaluated as a sexually transmitted disease (STD), according to a new research. Bacterial vaginosis (BV), previously classified as a women's health problem, is often treated in isolation—excluding male sexual partners. But new evidence indicates that not treating both partners could be the explanation for why BV recurs at frighteningly high levels.

Bacterial vaginosis occurs when the vaginal microbiome experiences an imbalance, with a decline in protective bacteria and an increase in harmful bacterial species. This disruption can lead to an unpleasant fishy odor, unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or a burning sensation—although many women experience no symptoms at all. BV is commonly waved off as a simple imbalance and not a real health problem, but it is associated with serious risks such as higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), pelvic inflammatory disease, and pregnancy-related complications like premature delivery and low birth weight.

Historically, BV has not been categorized as an STI because its etiological bacteria arise from within the body and not from outside pathogens. But with growing evidence, it now appears that this knowledge was limited, and sexual transmission might be a vital factor in recurrence of BV.

Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that recurrence rates of BV are high—approximately 50% of women have a relapse in the first six months following antibiotic treatment. Reinfection by untreated male partners is a primary cause of these recurrences. Studies have found BV-associated bacteria in the penile skin and male urethra, which supports the theory that men can reinfect their female partners with such bacteria.

An Australian randomized clinical trial supplied strong evidence in favor of the theory. In the study, 164 heterosexual monogamous couples in which the woman had BV were tested. The volunteers were put into two groups: a group where the woman was treated only and a group where both partners were treated. The findings were dramatic—BV recurrence rates fell to 35% in the partner-treatment group versus 63% in the single-woman treatment group. This indicates that treating male partners has a significant impact on preventing BV recurrence.

Why Current BV Treatment Approaches Are Not Working?

Most prior efforts at treating male partners for BV have not demonstrated significant female recurrence rate improvements. But these trials used oral antibiotics only, which might not be enough to completely clear the bacteria from male partners. The new Australian trial was different in that it used a combination therapy: men were given an oral antibiotic and a clindamycin cream to put on the penis. This two-pronged approach seems much more effective, and it shows that there should be a new standard of treatment.

Even with this strong evidence, however, most healthcare providers continue to fail to acknowledge BV as an STI. Infectious disease experts Jack Sobel and Christina Muzny, who did not participate in the research, state that BV is still inaccurately classified as a sexually unrelated condition. This false assumption denies appropriate treatment options that would decrease rates of recurrence and enhance women's long-term health.

Health Risks of Untreated Bacterial vaginosis

Although BV itself is not dangerous, if left untreated, infections can be dangerous. The World Health Organization (WHO) alerts that BV makes a woman more likely to get HIV and other STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. BV may also cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, leading to infertility. These risks make it important to adopt a more holistic approach to diagnosing and treating BV.

Considering BV an STI would be a major change in the approach to treating this infection by the medical field. If BV were actually considered an STI, physicians would be incentivized to treat both sexual partners at the same time, and recurrence rates would decrease dramatically, as well as patient outcomes. This change would also work to de-stigmatize BV, moving it from being regarded as a hygiene problem to being recognized as a valid medical condition that can be treated appropriately.

"This effective intervention is cheap and brief and has the potential for the first time to not only enhance BV cure in women, but offers exciting new prospects for BV prevention, and prevention of the severe complications of BV," said Dr. Catriona Bradshaw, a clinician scientist at Monash University and lead author of the research.

More studies are required to validate these results in larger and more diverse populations, but the findings are encouraging. If subsequent studies confirm the sexual transmission theory, international health guidelines may one day be revised to incorporate this new knowledge.

The medical profession is now presented with the task of informing both patients and clinicians of these implications. Greater awareness can lead to improved treatment options, empowering women to become more proactive about their reproductive health as well as engaging male partners in the treatment process.

"It's time to begin the conversation," write Sobel and Muzny. With the promise of preventing recurrence and safeguarding against long-term health consequences, treating BV as an STI could be the answer to dramatically improving women's health globally.

Bacterial vaginosis is the most prevalent vaginal infection, yet it is largely misunderstood. The most recent studies indicate that BV must be categorized and treated as an STI, with the inclusion of male partners in the treatment regimen. This conceptual shift would aid in decreasing rates of recurrence, reduce the risk of complications, and ultimately enhance the health and well-being of millions of women globally. As discussion regarding BV is ongoing, it is crucial that healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients alike become aware of the need for a more holistic and inclusive treatment.

Harish Rana, the 32-year-old resident from Ghaziabad who had been in vegetative condition for the last 13 years is now waiting for his last few moments. A landmark judgment allowed for passive euthanasia in Rana's case. This means without any active intervention, he will be able to exercise his right to die with dignity. As a result he has been taken off ventilator and other life support systems and shifted to a normal bed. His water tube was removed along with a cap being placed on his feeding tube. Health and Me had previously reported on how AIIMS Delhi has prepared to conduct India's first passive euthanasia.

However, it has been over a week since Rana's food and water supply has been cut off. Reports note that he, along with his parents are facing anxiety after he has been denied food and water for over a week.

On March 23, it marks 10 days since Rana has been shifted to AIIMS. Doctors note that every minute Rana spends in AIIMS is crucial for him, and special care is being taken to ensure he does not suffer during this time. His condition is being monitored and doctors are still administering medications to soothe his brain.

A Landmark Judgment For India's Long Debate In Euthanasia

Manish Jain, who represented Rana in Supreme Court and played a key role in securing legal aid for him told NDTV that when the verdict was being announced the entire court was packed. "From the courtroom to the gallery, there was a crowd everywhere, everyone was eagerly waiting to see what the Supreme Court would decide. Both judges became emotional while delivering the verdict; the expression was clearly visible on their faces... I was very disappointed myself. But the family felt that if the verdict came in their favor, it would be a great relief for the patient."

He told the media outlet that when the verdict was being announced the entire court went silent for 10 to 15 minutes and everyone was emotional.

Before the verdict was delivered, both judges met with Harish's family and obtained information from the doctor about every aspect of the case.

Read: Harish Rana Taken Off Ventilator, Shifted To Normal Bed At AIIMS Delhi

Jain describes the verdict saying: "I lost even after winning". He said he had seen Harish himself a several times and knew that he was going through a lot of pain. "13 years is no small thing," he notes. "The way his parents and family cared for him is beyond words. But now the only solace is that the court also understood the situation and gave a verdict that will set an example in the history of the country's judiciary."

What Happened To Harish Rana?

It was in 2013 when he suffered severe head injuries after he fell from the fourth floor from his PG accommodation while he was studying at Panjab University. He had been bedridden ever since, and survived on feeding tube. His father filed a petition seeking passive euthanasia under the guidelines Supreme Court had laid down in 2018 under Common Cause judgment. This is the second time the parents have approached the apex court.

In 2024, the court also suggested that Rana could receive home-based care with support from the Uttar Pradesh government. The home-based care includes periodic visits by doctors and physiotherapists. The court suggested that in case home care was not feasible, he could be moved to Noida's district hospital. However, his parents have noted that his condition continued to worsen. Family advocate Rashmi Nandakumar also informed the bench that "nothing seems to be working out".

"He is falling ill quite often and is repeatedly admitted to hospital," she said. The advocate further added that the family only sought passive euthanasia, which is withdrawal of treatment, and not any active intervention.

Justice Pardiwala also read medical reports and observed, "Just look at the condition of the boy. It's pathetic."

Recent court ruling on this case involves a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan that allowed the withdrawal of life support for Harish Rana, a resident of Ghaziabad, who has been in a coma and kept alive on tubes for breathing and nutrition after sustaining severe head injuries following a fall from a building in 2013 in Chandigarh.

Perez Hilton thanked doctors and nurses after his care at the Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas. He was hospitalized for 21 days after he experienced complications with the medicines he was taking for flu. In a video, he said, "My stupidity landed me in the hospital;". The celebrity blogger explained that he was taking medications on an empty stomach that led to serious health complications.

What Happened To Perez Hilton?

He posted a video on March 23 on his YouTube channel and said, "It was the worst and best thing that's ever happened to me". The 48-year-old, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr, and goes by Perez Hilton said that he had flu for "about a week" and started to take his medications to get better.

However, the biggest mistake he did was taking those medications on an empty stomach. Though, he shares that he has never had food before any of his medications.

Turns out, the medications were hard on his stomach and intestines. After a week of taking the medications on an empty stomach, he developed an ulcer, a perforation and sepsis that led him to be admitted in a hospital with intense stomach pains.

“The first few days were a lot of pain and constant tests,” Perez recalled. “Because they couldn't find where the perforation was.” He added: “Eventually, after five days, I ended up having laparoscopic surgery. Surgery where they don’t cut you up, but they miraculously make these incisions.”

He aid that surgeons used cameras to "literally flip around all of my organs, trying to find the perforation first. Then after flipping around all of my organs, washing me our 'cause I had so much infection in there. So much infection". He also said that his lungs had to be drained out and that his body "kept falling apart". He was also put on heart medication because his "heart got out of control".

Read: World Tuberculosis Day 2026: Theme, Origin, And Significance

Due to his long hospital stay, he developed another infection and for two weeks he could not eat normal food. “It was such a slow process,” Perez shared. “Two weeks of just sickness and then another week of getting better before I was released. The last week was hell, because I had already been in the hospital two weeks by then.”

How Is Perez Hilton Now?

Perez is now at home and would continue to receive his medication intravenously through a PICC line in his arm for 10 days. He said it is more effective than oral medications. “When I saw my kiddos—who had visited me—but when we got home we had the biggest, most cathartic group hug. And tears and tears and tears. They were so worried for their dad," he said.

He also said that he learned from his experience of being hospitalized and hopes that his video works as a "cautionary tale" to those who are watching. He said, "I hope this video can be a cautionary tale to some of you. Take medication with food. That's very important. Take medication with food. Don't have it on an empty stomach. Don't end up like me in the hospital for 21 days.”

Every year on March 24, World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data, 10.7 to 10.8 million people fell ill with TB, globally in 2023-2024. This has made TB the world's top infectious killers. While many countries have been able to successfully reduce the cases of TB, there has been resurgence of the disease in Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines. While in the United States and in high-income European nations, the infection levels remain low, however, the disease has not been fully eradicated.

World Tuberculosis Day 2026: Theme

This is why, this year's theme is 'Yes! We can end TB!' As per the WHO, this is a bold call to action and a message of hope that affirms that it is possible to get back on track and turn the tide on the TB epidemic, even in a challenging global environment. With decisive country leadership, increased domestic and international investment, rapid uptake of new WHO recommendations and innovations, accelerated action, and strong multisectoral collaboration, ending TB is not just aspirational - it is achievable.

World Tuberculosis Day 2026: Origin

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that it was on March 24, 1882, when Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the germ that causes tuberculosis (TB). A century later, in 1982, the global health community recognized March 24 as World TB Day.

In 1882, the disease killed one in seven people in the US and Europe, however, Koch's discovery was significant in the elimination of TB disease.

The CDC also notes that TB germs may have been around as long as 3 million years. During ancient times, TB had several names, for instance, it was called:

• "Phthisis" in ancient Greek,
• "Tabes" in ancient Latin, and
• "Schachepheth" in ancient Hebrew.
• During the Middle Ages, health care providers referred to active TB disease of the neck and lymph nodes as "scrofula."
• In the 1700s, people referred to TB disease as "the white plague" due to the pale complexion of people with TB disease.
• In the 1800s, people called TB disease "consumption." In 1834, Johann Schonlein named the disease "tuberculosis."
• In 1909, Clemens von Pirquet invented the term "latent TB infection" to refer to inactive TB.

World Tuberculosis Day 2026: Significance

World TB Day is held annually on March 24 to raise awareness, mobilize funding, reduce stigma, and accelerate global efforts to end the tuberculosis epidemic. This disease kills thousands daily and is thus a critical call for action on prevention and treatment is important.

World Tuberculosis Day: What Is TB?

As per a Singapore Government Agency Website called Communicable Disease Agency or CDA, TB is an infectious airborne disease caused by Mycobacteirum tuberculosis.It primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of your body, such as the brain, lymph nodes, kidneys, bones, and joints.

The disease is transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and usually requires close and prolonged contact with an infectious individuals. It cannot spread through touch or kissing.

Common Symptoms Of TB

• Persistent cough (two weeks or more)
• Persistent fever
• Coughing blood or sputum
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Chest pain