Oh, great. As if we didn’t have enough problems already.
The CDC just announced that men can contract Zika through unprotected anal sex with other men infected with the virus.
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So far, seven cases of sexual transmission of the virus have been reported in the United States. One of those cases involved a Dallas man who was infected with the virus while traveling in Venezuela. Two days after returning to the U.S., his symptoms developed. A week later, his partner, who had not traveled outside the country, also tested positive for the virus.
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It is still not clear if the virus can be transmitted through kissing or oral sex, but scientists have noted that the virus is found in both saliva and semen.
“The take-home message is you have to consider any kind of intimate contact between an infected person with Zika and a non-infected person as a potential risk situation, regardless of gender,” Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, tells STAT.
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GC1985
Cases are on a sharp decline in Latin America as more become aware and take care of free standing water and such. The virus is generally mild and some 90% infected never show symptoms and have life time immunity. I would rather get it and have that immunity.
Masc Pride
This should end well.
Masc Pride
I thought the original concern was just for pregnant women because of the microcephaly link, but I’ve read this virus can also cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, seizures and other neuro problems in anyone who is infected.
Tackle
Yes the CDC and their scare tactics. And just watch, even though all people of all r@ces are having sex. Safe and otherwise.The CDC will announce soon, that Blacks who are 13% of the US population, are the majority with the virus…
Brian
The CDC seems to have a habit of demonizing male homosexuality. So what if the Zika virus can be transmitted through anal between men? Women and men often do anal with each other, so why doesn’t the CDC talk about hetero anal?
Here’s a fact: you cannot catch any virus through anal sex if you and your partner do not have the virus in the first place.
The CDC needs to stop its apparent scaremongering in relation to male homosexuality.
Brian
The CDC seems to structure its statements in a way that seems anti-black, anti-gay and anti-male. It never seems to be anti-woman, hoeever.
Women always seem to be the “innocent” parties who are victims of evil black men and evil bisexual men.
Kangol
Zika’s possible effects on compromised immune systems might be something for the CDC to consider. Are there are any studies on this?
For the elderly, infants, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, it’s probably a good idea to take every precaution.
GC1985
@Masc Pride: 90% of those who get infected don’t even show any symptoms and become immune. There are far bigger killers out there. One that strikes every year and kills tens of thousands in the US. It is called the flu.
Masc Pride
@Kangol: Yeah, I’d imagine Zika AND HIV would produce a really unfavorable outcome.
For all you guys thinking a virus like this is no biggie or that the CDC is out to get us all, let’s see what tune you guys are singing when you’re convulsing all over the place, experiencing neurodegeneration and needing spinal taps to diagnose all your new ailments. Always better to be safe than sorry. This community really can’t afford to be nonchalant about new viruses.
Topher Levín
It’s the flu. I looked it up and it’s the goddamn flu. Why is this news?! It doesn’t stay in your blood more than a week. Most people don’t even have symptoms. Yeah, if you’re pregnant it’s worse. And a couple of people got a syndrome that causes paralysis â?? that is temporary and reverses completely with blood treatment in a couple months. It’s the flu and this shouldn’t be news.
onthemark
@GC1985: “90% of those who get infected don’t even show any symptoms and become immune.”
True… but you could say the exact same thing about Hepatitis B. (Only you don’t, lol.)
Billy Budd
Here in Brazil there is a serious Zika epidemic. It is a disaster and there is no final solution because we don’t have enough basic sanitation in poor neighborhoods and the mosquitoes proliferate.
onthemark
@Topher Levín: Wow – why do the Facebook posts here sometimes multiply out of control like mosquitoes in a swamp? … or like the tribbles on Star Trek, lol … scary!
GC1985
@Masc Pride: Your homophobia is well noted. For one, it isn’t a big deal and you are being hysterical. Cases are already sharply dropping in both Brazil and Colombia.
And again, 90% don’t even show symptoms and develop immunity.
@onthemark: faulty comparison. Zika has a very low fatality rate and is nothing like hepatitis.
Masc Pride
@onthemark: I think it’s Queerty’s way of getting higher comment counts. The stories here have been averaging under 20 lately. Even click bait headlines about r@ce, masc vs fem, heteroflexibility and religion aren’t working any more.