Posted on 02/06/2006 2:55:11 PM PST by DBeers
WASHINGTON -- A particularly bad strain of chlamydia not usually seen in this country appears to be slowly spreading among gay and bisexual men, an infection that can increase their chances of getting or spreading the AIDS virus.
Called LGV chlamydia, this sexually transmitted disease has caused a worrisome outbreak in Europe, where some countries have confirmed dozens of cases. Diagnoses confirmed by U.S. health officials still are low, just 27 since they warned a year ago that the strain was headed here.
But specialists say that's undoubtedly a fraction of the infections, because this illness is incredibly hard to diagnose: Few U.S. clinics and laboratories can test for it. Painful symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
And because LGV chlamydia doesn't always cause noticeable symptoms _ right away, at least _ an unknown number of people may silently harbor and spread it, along with an increased risk of HIV transmission.
"My feeling is that what we're seeing now is still the tip of the iceberg," says Dr. Philippe Chiliade of the Whitman-Walker Clinic in Washington, D.C., which diagnosed its first few cases of LGV last month and is beginning to push for asymptomatic men to be screened.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention already was counting an 8 percent increase in HIV among gay and bisexual men between 2003 and 2004, before LGV's arrival was recognized.
"We are really concerned about this," says Dr. Catherine McLean of CDC's HIV and STD prevention program.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
" "My feeling is that what we're seeing now is still the tip of the iceberg," says Dr. Philippe Chiliade"
Or 'tip of the icecube' for those of us with the 'Irish Curse'.
A well-known and documented characteristic of gays is their promiscuity. Anonymous sex is a common activity, even among those who claim to be in "committed" relationships. This is acceptable, and even expected behavior. Gays deny this, of course, because it belies their marketing campaign to be seen as "normal." But it's true.
STD rates in homosexual men are primarily due to 2 things:
1. promiscuity
2. fragile, vascular lining of rectum, which tears easily because it was never meant for what they do to it - bloodborne pathogens and other infectious agents find an open port like no other.
"Pregnancy is a disease?"
Of course not. It's called a "joke."
ugh
....right after we take care of the nasty smokers!(sarcasm)
I know. And we probably won't have to wait long.
I will agree with you on that one!
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