Ping pong effect (medicine)

The ping-pong effect is a re- infection with a sexually transmitted disease by the partner who was either treated late or not treated at all. Similar to the ball in table tennis , the pathogen is "played back" from one partner to the other. To successfully treat a sexually transmitted infection and to prevent a ping-pong effect, both people must be treated at the same time . On sexual intercourse should be avoided during this period.

A ping-pong infection is often referred to as a " relapse ", but since the renewed infection took place after all viruses, bacteria or parasitic insects had been completely destroyed, it is better to speak of a "reinfection".

Although this term is most common in the field of sexually transmitted diseases, the ping-pong effect is also observed in other infectious diseases.

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !