As reported at http://www.pinkpaper.com/ Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) are informing gay and bisexual men of a strain of chlamydia that may make it easier to catch HIV, which is becoming "widespread" among gay and bisexual men.
Lymphogranuloma venereum, or LVG, is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that attacks the lymph nodes. It first arrived in the UK in 2004 and has been spreading in gay and bisexual men communities. It has been reported that last year, 193 men were diagnosed with the infection and, in the first six months of 2010, 190 men have been diagnosed, many of whom also have HIV.
Symptoms include constipation, bleeding and discharge from the rectum, painful inflammation and painful anal abscesses or ulcers. Left untreated, the infection can cause serious damage and in severe cases, can permanently damage the rectum and require surgery.Having the infection can also make it more likely that men will catch infections such as HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis.
THT state that in most cases, LGV was caught anally and activities such as unprotected anal sex, fisting or sharing sex toys can spread the disease. Men are encouraged not to share sex toys or if they do, to put a fresh condom on them between each new partner.
If caught early, LGV can be cured within three weeks with antibiotic use.
If you believe you may have picked up the infection, or would like further information on testing - please visit your local sexual health clinic. If you are not sure where that is, contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for details.
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