Gay flu

Federal and state health officials are investigating an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Florida primarily infecting men who identify as gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men. Researchers have defined man flu as a popular term to describe hypersensitivity to rhinosinusitis (sinus infection) in men. A sinus infection can cause symptoms similar to the common cold and flu, including congestion, fatigue, and sometimes fever.

Most of the science involves self-reported symptoms. The phrase “man flu” is all about assuming men overstate the severity of their illness. So, studies that draw conclusions by asking men to describe how they’re feeling are flawed from the jump. Immune response and symptom severity aren’t the same thing. The term "man flu " takes a humorous poke at men with minor respiratory infections, such as colds, who supposedly exaggerate their symptoms.

According to the stereotype, a man lies on the sofa with a box of tissues. Man flu is a colloquial term referring to the perception that men experience more severe symptoms when afflicted with the common cold or flu-like illnesses. Primarily British, it is frequently used in a self-deprecating manner. [1]. Outbreaks and clusters of meningococcal disease, which can cause meningitis, have been reported among men who have sex with men MSM across the U.

Meningococcal disease is a rare, sometimes deadly, bacterial infection. It can strike quickly and lead to devastating complications such as hearing loss, brain or kidney damage or limb amputations. Early symptoms can be similar to the flu or other viral infections, often leading to a misdiagnosis. But symptoms can progress very quickly, killing an otherwise healthy young adult within hours.

Vaccination offers the best protection against meningococcal disease. You can get the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease from someone who has no symptoms or whose symptoms may appear mild. State and local public health departments may make additional recommendations based on local needs.

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There are five major serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis , the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease: A, B, C, W and Y. Serogroup C has been the only serogroup associated with these MSM cases. Because of sustained increases in the risk of this disease among adolescents and young adults, CDC makes the following recommendations for the entire country:.

Learn more about meningococcal symptoms , transmission and vaccination. If you believe you are at risk for meningococcal disease, please talk to your healthcare professional even if you are not located in any of the cities or states mentioned on this page. The most recent was an outbreak among gay and bisexual men in Chicago.

This meningococcal disease outbreak included 11 confirmed cases, including one death. The outbreak, which began in August , included at least 22 cases and seven deaths. Clusters and isolated cases among gay men and MSM have occurred in other parts of the country, such as Los Angeles and Miami. The vaccine is available at no cost at many Chicago clinics and also through some Chicago Department of Health partner sites where a co-pay might apply.

Click here for places to get vaccinated in Chicago. Click here for a patient fact sheet and places to get vaccinated in NYC. Click here for places to get vaccinated in Los Angeles. A meningococcal case in Minnesota may be connected to the Chicago outbreak.

Click here for vaccination clinics in Minnesota. Routine meningococcal vaccine is recommended based on age Because of sustained increases in the risk of this disease among adolescents and young adults, CDC makes the following recommendations for the entire country: Meningococcal vaccination against serogroups A, C, W and Y is recommended for everyone at age years with a booster at age Two vaccines in the U.

Adolescents with HIV , age 11 — 18 years, should receive 2 doses of the A, C, W and Y vaccine administered 2 months apart followed by a booster dose at age 16 if the first dose was received before age Meningococcal vaccination against serogroup B may also be given to adolescents and young adults 16 to 23, with a preferred age of 16 to While serogroup B has not been linked to the MSM cases, it is responsible for one third or more of the annual cases in the U.

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