Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)

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LGV is rare in Australia. LGV is endemic in parts of Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean, but since 2003 has been increasingly recognised in Europe, North America and Australia. In Australia it is still an uncommon disease, usually presenting as proctitis (inflammation of the rectum causing pain and bloody diarrhoea) in men who have sex with men.

What is LGV?

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a curable sexually transmitted infection that causes small, often asymptomatic skin lesions, followed by swelling of the infected area. It can infect the genitals, anus, rectum, throat and lymph glands. LGV can be transmitted even when the person with LGV has no symptoms.

LGV is caused by a particular strain of chlamydia bacteria and spreads through unprotected anal, oral or vaginal sexual contact, especially if there is broken or damaged skin. In Australia, LGV is most common in men who have sex with men (MSM) who have condomless anal sex with multiple sexual partners.

Having LGV can increase the risk of contracting other STIs, including hepatitis, syphilis, gonorrhoea, and HIV. 

Signs and Symptoms

Content warning: click to show images of symptoms

If you get symptoms of LGV, they will usually appear within 3-30 days of exposure. If left untreated, LGV can lead to a range of severe complications. LGV can be transmitted even when the person with LGV has no symptoms.

Vagina/Vulva

Penis

Anus/Rectum

Throat

Lymph glands

An advanced LGV infection may lead to:
  • Chronic inflammation and breakdown of affected tissue
  • A narrowing of the end of the anal canal (rectal stricture)
  • Tissue death (necrosis)
  • Rupture of the lymph nodes
  • Abnormal tunnels between the vagina and rectum (fistulas)
  • Tearing (perforation) 
  • Scarring
  • Systemic complications like pneumonia and hepatitis

Transmission

  • LGV is spread through unprotected anal, oral or vaginal sexual contact, especially if there is trauma or breakage to the skin or mucous membranes. 
  • Sharing sex toys without cleaning or changing condoms between partners can also spread LGV. 

LGV can be spread even when the person with LGV has no symptoms.

LGV is more common in parts of Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. People who travel to countries where LGV is more common and have unprotected sex with someone with the infection may also be at risk. 

Prevention

  • Using condoms and other barriers like gloves or dams
  • Covering anything which is moved from one anus or vagina to another with a fresh condom (including sex toys)
  • Using condoms and dams for oral sex
  • Using a fresh glove between partners when fingering or fisting
  • Using condoms when sharing sex toys or clean silicone, metal, ABS plastic or glass toys with warm water and anti-bacterial soap 
  • Avoiding sharing enema equipment

It is recommended that you always change condoms when going from anal to vaginal or oral sex.

Testing 

Here’s some information about testing for LGV. You can view a list of sex worker-friendly sexual health clinics at our Where To Test page.

Testing method

When to Test

Other Info

Treatment

LGV is treatable and curable. 

Testing Method

Costs and other information 

How might this impact my work? 

Practical considerations

Legal and reporting considerations

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