January 16, 2008 | Health Matters

Staph threat in gay community

A drug-resistant strain of the staph infection is being spread among gay men in some major US cities. Normally found within hospitals, the infection has shown up in the general public in Boston, New York and Los Angeles. And according to the Annals of Internal Medicine, sexually active gay men in San Francisco are 13 times more likely to be infected than their heterosexual counterparts. Of course, we must remember this is just one study.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is one of those superbugs we've been hearing about in the news. It is life-threatening and can result in a disfiguring infection. There is treatment, but it's expensive.

Although the normal staph infection is carried in people's noses, this more virulent form can also live in the anal region and be passed on through sexual activity. Washing hands and genitals with soap and water is the best way to protect yourself.

 As if there wasn't enough in this world to worry about!