Recent studies show that gay sexually active men are at greater risk of getting infected by a deadly strain of bacterial meningitis. Although not common for now, yet, the authorities concern are sounding the alert alarm to keep everyone abreast of the situation thereby preventing it from escalating and becoming an epidemic like the HIV virus. 

This cautionary call came after a 33 years old, gay lawyer, Brett Shaad died a few weeks ago after being diagnosed with bacterial meningitis two days earlier. By this development, AP reports tests were carried out to ascertain the similarity between the strain of bacterial meningitis and the meningococcal infections common among gays resident in the city of New York which is responsible for quite a number of deaths since the year 2010.

Bacterial meningitis, like most bacterial infections, is highly contagious. Fortunately, it is not as contagious as the common cold or the flu and cannot be spread by contact or by inhaling the air where an infected person had been. The symptoms which usually appears within three to seven days after exposure include, a severe headache, achy muscles, vomiting, a stiff neck, a high fever and in some cases rashes. These symptoms are quite similar to that of an acute flu case and unless proper medical tests are conducted, infected persons may be deluded into thinking they have been infected by the flu, but this is way deadlier than that.

America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been alerted about an outbreak of a strain of the bacteria spreading among gays in New York and the possible transmission may be during sexual intercourse. Consequently, the New York City Department of Health has recommended that a vaccination exercise for gays. This has triggered other health departments to advise vaccinations for gays embarking on a journey to New York and may be active sexually over there.

Mode of transmission of the disease include, sexual intercourse, kissing, sneezing or coughing on someone, or living in an enclosed facility with a patient. However, it requires prolong contact and exposure for one to be infected.

Summarily, Bacterial Meningitis should be regarded as a medical emergency, with as much as 10% to 15% of cases terminating in death.  The health officials say that a checkup is important for those who have been exposed to the disease in one way or the other. According to them, with early detection and treatment, antibiotics may likely be used to cure the disease.