Terrence Higgins Trust is launching a campaign today to raise awareness of LGV (Lymphogranuloma venereum), a previously rare sexually transmitted infection, as diagnoses pass 100.

According to latest figures published today by the Health Protection Agency, 140 gay men have now been diagnosed with LGV in the UK, and two thirds of these cases are in London.

This news is of particular concern for gay men living with HIV as 80% of men being diagnosed with LGV also have HIV. In response to the increase, Terrence Higgins Trust is launching an internet based information campaign at www.tht.org.uk/gaymen/lgv and distributing LGV leaflets to sexual health and HIV clinics throughout the UK.

Will Nutland, Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust says "Just a year ago LGV was virtually unheard of in the UK. Sexual health clinics have been diagnosing increasing numbers of gay men with LGV as more gay men recognise the symptoms and as sexual health clinics screen men for the infection."

Will went on to say "It's important that gay men, especially gay men with HIV, know about LGV and request a screening from their sexual health or HIV centre if they suspect they have the infection. We know that LGV is more common in men who have anal sex without condoms and men with large numbers of sexual partners."

Dr Helen Ward, Head of Prevention for the Health Protection Agency’s Department of HIV & STIs, added:

“Most of the men with LGV have had symptoms including rectal pain, bleeding and discharge, and a few have had swollen lymph nodes. Although LGV can be treated with a three-week course of antibiotics, if left untreated it can cause severe and painful long-term problems.

“The Health Protection Agency is working closely with the Terrence Higgins Trust and with clinicians to improve awareness of the problem and ensure men are appropriately tested and treated.”

Ends

Notes to editors

1. LGV infection commonly goes through 3 stages:

• Stage 1: Three days to three weeks after getting infected there may be a small, painless sore where the bacteria got into the mouth, penis or inside the rectum. Many people don’t get a sore or don’t notice it. If infected in the penis there might be a discharge or pain on urinating. The infected person would be able to give LGV to others from this point until they get treated.
• Stage 2: 10 to 30 days later (or even longer) glands may become painfully swollen. The person might feel ill and have a fever.
  LGV in the rectum - painful inflammation in the rectum (called ‘proctitis’) and blood or pus coming from it. Defecating may be painful, and people many be constipated or develop painful abscesses/ulcers in the rectum. The person will feel ill and may get a fever.
  LGV in the penis - might get a discharge, the glands in groin can swell - so much that they might push through the skin and leak fluid.
  LGV in the mouth - If infected through the mouth or throat, glands in the neck or armpit may swell.
• Stage 3: Left untreated LGV will later go on to cause serious problems. Haemorrhoid-like growths can appear, the penis and testicles can swell massively and the inside of the rectum can be seriously damaged; may need to have surgery. As long as it’s treated before it gets to the third stage, LGV is quickly cured with 3 weeks of antibiotics and leaves no lasting damage.
  

2. All 140 cases of LGV were diagnosed in men who have sex with men, 80% of these men also had HIV, and 12% had LGV, HIV and Hepatitis C.

3. Health care providers can access more information on treating and testing patients with LGV is available from www.hpa.org.uk

4. Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, providing a wide range of services to over 50,000 people a year. The charity also campaigns and lobbies for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual health.