Meningitis outbreak among MSM

There has been a bacterial meningitis outbreak among a small but sizeable population of gay/bi men and men who have sex with men (MSM). Some of these men do not identify as gay or bi but have contracted the disease and hence the CDC label of MSM. It started in 2010 in NYC but has grown and since spread to California with 22 men getting sick and 7 fatalities. The highest risk groups are those that are HIV positive or have multiple sexual partners. This is by no means an epidemic or reason for panic but it should be a warning taken seriously to prevent it from growing further.

Meningitis is not a sexually transmitted nor "gay disease" but rather is highly contagious if you are kissing, sharing utensils with or are in prolonged close contact with the infected person. Being in the same room is not enough to contract the illness.

I am posting this here to urge gay men in metropolitan areas to consider getting the meningitis vaccination. The vaccine lasts for 5 years and is relatively safe. The virus is inactivated and those of us who are immune compromised have extra incentive to protect ourselves. Many LGBT clinics are offering free vaccinations to anyone who is interested.

Some more information about this can be found here: http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/hrc-glma-partner-to-provide-meningitis-information

General Meningitis info by the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html

I am resurrecting this thread. Thanks to action by health officials, in August 2013 after several deaths, cases of meningitis among gay men had been halted due to aggressive vaccination and awareness campaigns.

Unfortunately there does appear to be a recurrence and while not exclusive affecting gay men, it appears to be resurfacing in the Los Angeles area, particularly West Hollywood.

It would be wise to take advantage of the free vaccination programs, especially since many of us here are already immunocompromised.

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-79801734/