What do blue waffles mean

Medical evidence debunking the myth did little to quell the rising panic on social media. Some people even claimed that blue waffle disease could eventually turn a person's body blue if left unchecked. The blue waffle myth picked up steam in when New Jersey councilperson Kathy MacBride was taken in by the ruse and proposed actions to address the fictional health threat.

As silly or benign as the prank may seem, its ultimate aim was to sow panic and distress—and, in that regard, it succeeded. One of the consequences of these hoaxes is that it fuels a phenomenon known as "Munchausen by Internet" in which people purposely manufacture illnesses for the purpose of trolling or seeking attention. The fact that so many people fell for the hoax also reflects a pervasive narrative that sexually active women are "abnormal" and will ultimately reap the consequences of their sexual behavior.

After all, blue waffle disease was an STD that affects only women, not men. Ironically, boys and men will often brag about having " blue balls " if they are frustrated by not having enough sex.

The underlying narrative is that men are meant to have sex—and lots of it—or suffer the consequences of "blue balls. It is a reflection of a culture that still measures a man's worth by his sexuality and attacks and degrades a woman for hers.

One of the reasons that blue waffle disease fooled so many people is that the pranksters described symptoms that were readily associated with STDs in women, many of which overlap. This includes symptoms associated with:. Most of the time, an STD will have no symptoms. The lack of symptoms does not mean that you are "in the clear" if you engage in condomless sex or have other risk factors for STDs.

If you think you are at risk of exposure, whether you have symptoms or not, speak with a health professional. Ultimately, the only way to know if you've gotten an STD is to get tested.

The health professional can not only advise you which tests are needed but let you know when to get tested so that you don't do so within the "window period" where false negatives are possible. Blue waffle is a fictional sexually transmitted disease that was said to turn the vagina blue and disfigure it. The myth was first started in and later went viral when the online hoax was cited by a New Jersey councilperson as a health threat to women. You cannot get blue waffle disease as it is a fictional STD.

Even so, there are things you can do to protect yourself from real sexually transmitted infections, including the consistent use of condoms and a reduction in your number of sex partners. Blue waffle disease does not exist. This doesn't mean you should ignore changes in the color, sensitivity, or smell of your vagina. A red, irritated vagina with itching, burning, and smelly discharge could be signs of a very real condition called vaginitis , commonly linked to STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.

It is not an STD, and your genitals will not turn blue if you have a lot of sex. However, if you do notice changes on your genitals, such as bumps, sores, or discharge, see your healthcare provider, a woman's health clinic, or a free STD clinic.

Symptoms like these could very well suggest an STD in need of treatment. It is equally important to educate yourself so that you can not only spot the signs of an STD but learn how to avoid them. Always seek information from reputable sources like the CDC to avoid falling prey to internet pranks. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

New York Daily News. New Jersey councilwoman victimized by 'blue waffle disease' April Fool's prank. April 4, The presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of sexually transmitted Infections.

Dtsch Arztebl Int. Ravi A. Annals on being a doctor story slam - how to treat blue waffle disease. Ann Intern Med. Sexually transmitted infections in women: a correlation of clinical and laboratory diagnosis in cases of vaginal discharge syndrome. If you have anal sex or chlamydia spreads to the rectum from another area, such as the vagina, you may notice:.

All sexually active people can contract this STI. Gonorrhea can affect the genitals, rectum, and the throat, and is transmitted by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has it. Gonorrhea may not cause any symptoms. What symptoms that can occur depend on your sex and the location of the condition. There is no cure for genital herpes. If you have any symptoms, they usually begin within 2 to 12 days after exposure to the virus.

Approximately 90 out of people with genital herpes will have very mild or no symptoms. According to the National Cancer Institute , there are more than types of HPV, 40 of which are spread through sexual contact.

Most sexually active people will have some type of it during their lifetime. Some strains can cause genital warts. Others can cause certain cancers, including cancers of the cervix , rectum, mouth , and throat.

Most HPV infections go away on their own without causing any signs or symptoms, but the virus remains dormant in your body and can be spread to your sexual partners. Genital warts caused by HPV can appear as a small bump or a cluster of bumps in the genital area. They can range in size, be flat or raised, or have the appearance of a cauliflower. If you notice any unusual changes, such as discharge, bumps, or sores, see your doctor for STD testing as soon as possible.

See some examples and descriptions. Vaginal itching and irritation usually aren't cause for concern, but burning may be a sign of an underlying condition. Here are other symptoms to…. Chlamydia in throat, though rare, can cause symptoms such as sore throat, mouth sores, and dental problems.

Read on to learn more. Sex is a healthy part of life, and people rarely experience side effects from having frequent sex. However, a person may experience discomfort from some sexual practices. While the vagina produces its own natural lubricant, too much sex can cause vaginal dryness and uncomfortable friction.

Rough intercourse can cause swelling in the vagina and even tear vaginal tissue. A tear can make someone more likely to develop a vaginal infection. The signs of some real vaginal infections are similar to those associated with fictitious blue waffle.

Symptoms of a vaginal infection include:. STDs, such as chlamydia , gonorrhea , and trichomoniasis, can produce symptoms similar to those associated with fictitious blue waffle. Some of the symptoms associated with fictitious blue waffle can occur with real STDs and vaginal infection, including:. These symptoms may signal that a person might have vaginitis.

Infections often cause vaginitis. Some vaginal infections are transmitted through sexual intercourse, while others occur due to allergic reactions or changes in the typical chemical or bacterial balance in the vagina.

Safe sex keeps people healthy as well as safe. Using barriers, such as male and female latex condoms and female dental dams, are very effective in preventing the spread of viral and bacterial STDs. Contraceptive pills do not protect people against STDs. People who are sexually active should get tested for STDs regularly, even if they use condoms. The only way to know for sure is by being tested. Early detection makes treating STDs much easier.

The blue waffle phenomenon is a good example of people seeking sex education from the internet and accepting false information as truth. Sex educators throughout the United States have debunked blue waffle as nothing more than an urban myth, but rumors continue to spread across the internet. The widespread nature of these rumors indicate that children and teens may require a more comprehensive sexual education.

Without proper knowledge of STDs and safe sex practices, young people may look to the internet to educate themselves and may receive false information. Unfortunately, not all children receive comprehensive sex education.

Inadequate sex education is one of the leading factors that explain the high frequency of STDs among youths. There are several additional reasons why young people are more affected by STDs than older people. The reasons include that they are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as having multiple sexual partners and not using protection in the form of condoms. Blue waffle is a fake STD that people have falsely associated with symptoms similar to those of vaginal infections and real STDs that include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.