3 MSM Die From Meningitis in Los Angeles

<p>Three men who had sex with men have died after contracting bacterial meningitis this year. Officials urge Gay and Bisexual men to get vaccinated.</p> <p>by Newsdesk | 6th April 2014</p><p></p><p>Los Angeles county officials have reported that of eight people who have contracted Meningitis, three have died and all three were gay. Although the three men didn't have any direct contact with each other. </p><p></p><p>The reports came a day after the Department of Public Health (DoPH) urged gay men who are living with HIV or have multiple sexual partners to be vaccinated against invasive meningococcal disease, <a href="http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2014/04/05/three-dead-meningitis-los-angeles-county/7343097/?">reports The Desert Sun</a>.</p><p></p><p>However the authorities are saying that the disease is rare, but people with HIV or other immune weakening conditions are more susceptible to infection.</p><p></p><p>The DoPH is falling short of calling the cases an outbreak. </p><p></p><p>Dr. Robert Bolan, the medical director the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center said that the population is at most risk right now.</p><p></p><p>Last year <a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/NEWS-Update-On-Clusters-Of-Meningitis-Cases-In-Gay-Men-In-Europe/6137180">Public Health England (PHE) revised their advice to MSM</a>s (Men who have sex with men) after a number of meningitis cases were reported in Europe.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Meningitis/Pages/Symptoms.aspx">The NHS website describes the Meningitis symptons as: </a></p><p></p><p></p><p>Early warning signs</p><p></p><p>Bacterial meningitis has a number of early warning signs that usually occur before the other symptoms. These are:</p><p>pain in the muscles, joints or limbs, such as in the legs or hands</p><p>unusually cold hands and feet, or shivering</p><p>pale or blotchy skin and blue lips</p><p></p><p>Early symptoms</p><p></p><p>The early symptoms of bacterial meningitis are similar to those of many other conditions, and include:</p><p>a severe headache</p><p>fever</p><p>nausea (feeling sick)</p><p>vomiting (being sick)</p><p>feeling generally unwell</p><p>A fever is where you have a body temperature that is higher than usual. In general, in both adults and children this is taken to be a temperature of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above.</p><p>Other signs of fever include:</p><p>your face is hot to the touch</p><p>you look red or flushed</p><p>Later symptoms</p><p></p><p>As the condition gets worse it may cause:</p><p>drowsiness</p><p>confusion</p><p>seizures or fits</p><p>being unable to tolerate bright lights (photophobia) – this is less common in young children</p><p>a stiff neck – also less common in young children</p><p>a rapid breathing rate</p><p>a blotchy red rash that does not fade or change colour when you place a glass against it (a rash is not always present)</p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/the-gay-uk/id616631043?mt=8&uo=4&at=11luiF">Read this and other stories on our free app for iTunes</a></p><p></p><p><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hr.apps.n52474532">or for Android phones</a></p><p></p><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/the-gay-uk/id770600575?mt=8&uo=4&at=11luiF">Download our latest edition of TheGayUK on your Apple Device</a></p><p></p><p><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.presspadapp.thegayuk">Download our latest edition of TheGayUK on your Android Device</a></p><p> </p>