Shock horror, superbug fears greatly exaggerated

[vokz]

From NAM's HIV Weekly (January 16th 2008)

Shock horror, superbug fears greatly exaggerated



"Strain of Superbug 'may be new HIV'" was a headline in Metro newspaper that grabbed the attention of commuters across the UK yesterday.

A study finding a high prevalence in gay men in San Francisco of a strain of community-acquired MRSA with resistance to many types of antibiotics received widespread media attention. Many of the men with this strain of MRSA were HIV-positive.

It isn't the first study to find that HIV-positive gay men have a high prevalence of community-acquired MRSA and there's some evidence that transmission is occurring during the close physical contact that happens during sex.

People with HIV may be more vulnerable because of their high use of antibiotics and their risk of suppressed immunity.

But gay men and people with HIV aren't the only groups affected by community-acquired MRSA. Heterosexual transmission has been reported. What's more, there's good evidence that the infection occurs more frequently in groups the media often likes to praise - such as athletes and military personnel.

And a lot of what was said about the new strain of MRSA was misleading or inaccurate.

It isn't the "new HIV."

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) can cause very unpleasant symptoms, such as skin boils, and can in extreme cases cause a fatal form of pneumonia, but there are, in fact, antibiotics that can cure it.

Simple washing with soap and water after close physical contact (even after sex between men!) is enough to prevent infection in most cases.

And although the infection occurred more frequently in gay men in an area of San Francisco, it occurs in the general population.

It is important that people are told about potential health concerns. But the information provided needs to be accurate and measured. Much of the reporting in this case was alarmist and homophobic. And the wording of the press release that went out to the media wasn't helpful, a reminder to investigators and publicity departments of the importance of sticking to the facts and avoiding sensation when presenting findings to the media and public.

[Dachshund]

And the wording of the press release that went out to the media wasn't helpful, a reminder to investigators and publicity departments of the importance of sticking to the facts and avoiding sensation when presenting findings to the media and public.

Boy, I can just see that happening. Surprised they couldn't figure out a terrorist angle to make it extra scary. The "new" Aids. Is that supposed to be an improvement?

[pozguy75]

Well if it isn't Al Queda, blame the fags!

[vokz]

Surprised they couldn't figure out a terrorist angle to make it extra scary

You really don’t know how true that is about a rag that is part of the Associated Newspapers stable (which also includes The Daily HateMail - at one time the mouthpiece for British Fascism and still the most notoriously rightwing, bigoted and phobic of everything that isn’t conservative, white, Anglo-Saxon and straight newspaper in the UK).

[Dachshund]

It might not be us after all:


http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/01/17/staph/

When it comes to spreading the bacteria, it is not homosexuals we have to worry about. It is that much wider swath of the male population examined in the New England Journal of Medicine. In the journal, the medical researchers were not studying gays, they were studying the St. Louis Rams. That is correct: football players; in particular, linebackers.

[Andy Velez]

...yet another example of ignorant media. It's the rare exception when an article is published or a story covered on tv which reflects careful investigation and thoughtful consideration of the issues.

Generally it's just one more attention grabbing, not well thought out headline or story line that jumps out for some sound bytes before the whole subject of HIV/AIDS sinks back into being ignored.

Ugh.

[Tim Horn]

Some very thoughtful commentary:

http://mpetrelis.blogspot.com/2008/01/three-gay-editors-question-sensational.html

Tim Horn

[komnaes]

UCSF has issued an "apology" regarding the publicity surrounding this widely published study written by a Dr. Binh Diep.

18 January 2008

Statement from UCSF Dept of Public Affairs regarding study on emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone USA300 in men who have sex with men

We regret that our recent news report (1-14-08) about an important population-based study on MRSA USA300 with public health implications contained some information that could be interpreted as misleading. We deplore negative targeting of specific populations in association with MRSA infections or other public health concerns, and we will be working to ensure that accurate information about the research is disseminated to the health community and the general public.

Strictly my own speculation, Dr. Diep doesn't look very unlike any regulars you would bump into in Club Dragon on any given friday..

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