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Gay MRSA
Here’s a little story that takes the whole concept of STDs to a new level: a virulent form of MRSA which can be contracted simply by touching.
Sadly, since it has so far been 13 times more prevalent in gay men in San Francisco than in other people, it’s something that seems to be getting known as the “Gay MRSA” which is really annoying - although thankfully BBC News is a little more balanced in its reporting.
I think the thing which annoys me most with the “Gay MRSA” tag is the fact that - like with HIV’s previous status as “the gay disease” - it creates a feeling of complacency in the straight community. And as we all now know, although in HIV’s case the initial stages of the epidemic in the “developed” world were largely restricted to gay men, the reverse is now true. (Interestingly, the earliest cases are now believed to date from as early as 1959 and involve straight people).
But no, calling it “Gay MRSA” is a nice easy piece of tabloid shorthand - no matter what the dangers of lodging that idea in the public consciousness might be.
To be honest, I’d even argue it’s not technically an STD since it’s transmitted through any form of skin-to-skin contact. This means that anyone who has physical contact with anyone is actually at risk. Wrestlers are mentioned in the article - for a spot of balance you understand - but you do have to ask the question: do straight people not shake hands?
There are times I think we should bring back public information films because people seem to be getting increasingly stupid. Trouble is, in affairs like this it’s common sense really that leads the way, so any advice is likely to be a bit KYTV in its content:
If you are a sexually active gay male, or a wrestler, or sexually active gay wrestler, and you are concerned about Gay MRSA…
DO!
- Shower after sex with a good supply of hot water and an antibacterial shower gel.
- Avoid having multiple partners in the same period without washing.
- Check yourself regularly for boils and signs of infection.
DON’T!
- Lie face down in a sauna for three days letting hordes of sweaty strangers have their wicked way with you.
- Take part in a game of Naked Jelly Twister with anyone who has a suppurating skin condition.
- Marinade any boils or sores under a poultice of stale urine and a protective layer of cling-film.
Forewarned is Forearmed!
(That was a blisteringly patronising Public Information Film.)
Needless to say the Christian Right have seized upon this in a big way, missing the point totally.
Bless their little cotton brains.
Posted on January 17, 2008 | Filed Under Health and Fitness, The World we Live In
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