christian grantham
Christian Grantham was a student activist in the late 90s and later was a consultant to domestic policy forums for the Clinton Administration as well as events for HRC and GLAAD.
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February 21, 2005

Reports of this nasty STD came last year in several news items. The facts are facts. Just like a recent resurgence of syphilis, the rare and aggressive lymphogranuloma venereum has seen a recent comeback due primarily to irresponsible gay men.

In the past year, European public health officials have noted dozens of cases among gay and bisexual men. U.S. officials have been keeping a watchful eye. One case reported in Houston in October 2004 was linked to travel to Paris. The more recently discovered cases -- including at least two in New York, three in San Francisco and one in Atlanta -- had no association with European travel. Many U.S. experts now believe it has found footing here.

"This could reach epidemic proportions," said Tri Do, MD, MPH, president of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Assn. "And it's possible that it could become endemic."
[CDC sounds doctor alert about rare STD - AMNews - 02-21-05]

Twenty-four cases of the sexually transmitted infection lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) have been diagnosed in England since October 2004, according to data published in the January 28th edition of Eurosurveillance Weekly.

Enhanced surveillance of LGV was started in England in October 2004 after clusters of the infection were diagnosed amongst gay men, many of whom were HIV-positive, across Europe.
[LGV in England mainly affecting HIV-positive gay men, says preliminary data - AIDSMap - 01-31-05]

Unprotected anal intercourse is the key risk factor for the spread of LGV. Symptoms include painful rectal infections, but the first symptom may be a painless pimple or lesion on the genitals, tells the Seattle Post.
The cases are among the first reported in the United States and match a strain of the disease that only began to surface in Europe in recent years.

The disease, lymphogranuloma venereum, known as LGV, is a rare form of chlamydia that can cause acute illness, lifelong disability and disfigurement as well as fuel the spread of H.I.V./AIDS through open sores. A majority of those infected, both in Europe and the United States, have been gay men who engage in anal intercourse.
[Two cases of rare disease - Pravda - 02-03-05]

also read: Center Square, Chris Geidner, Andrew Sullivan