Bacterial Meningitis in the poz community in NYC - 1 death so far...

[OKJOE]

Guys in large cities beware. Meningitis is starting to rise in NYC gay men. Watch for symptoms.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2012/pr026-12.shtml

[Pig Bottom]

Thanks for the warning.

[rawTOP]

This is via Josh over at Positive Alliance - the folks who run Poz Thursdays at The Ritz...

***Urgent warning from the NYC Dept of Health for HIV+ gay men***

As you know, we try to keep it fun around here and focus on events and enjoyment. Today, though, we got the urgent news that there's an outbreak of bacterial meningitis among HIV+ gay men in NYC, affecting four people so far and resulting in one fatality in the community.

Bacterial meningitis is entirely curable, but it must be stopped early to avoid life-threatening complications or death. It is spread through prolonged interpersonal contact (i.e., sex or kissing) and in close living situations (i.e., boyfriend or room mate). Symptoms set in rapidly, over the course of two days or less. They include stiff neck, headache, flu like symptoms, and a rash. If you experience flu-like symptoms with a rash, do not hesitate to go to the nearest emergency room - and tell your friends to be on the lookout, too. Don't worry unduly (it's still rare), but definitely get informed and stay vigilant until it's clear the outbreak isn't spreading further.

Here's a link to the DOH's press release: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2012/pr026-12.shtml.

[toad2]

will be on look out

[rawTOP]

BTW, Meningitis is what Dick Damonson died of. A mutual friend just told me he apparently didn't seek treatment because his meth use had made him paranoid and he wouldn't leave the house. It's just sad on so many levels...