Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)

How common is LGV?

LGV, an infection normally only seen in tropical countries, was first seen among UK gay and bisexual men in 2004. It's been mostly connected to the sex club and sex party scene, especially among men who bareback and/or fist or get fisted. Over 400 men had been diagnosed with it by 2006.

What causes LGV?

LGV is caused by a type of chlamydia bacteria that attack the lymph glands.

Symptoms aren't always noticeable and doctors sometimes mistake them for other conditions.

LGV has three stages.

First stage

Around four days to a month after getting infected a small, painless sore may appear on your cock, in your mouth or arse. You may have some discharge and pain on pissing.

Second stage

About four days to several months later your glands may become painfully swollen, with fever and feeling ill. If you have the infection:

• in your cock you may get discharge and swollen glands in your groin
• in your mouth you may get swollen glands in your neck or armpit
• in your arse you may have painful inflammation (known as proctitis), with blood or pus coming from it, constipation, abscesses and pain when shitting.

Most infections among UK gay and bisexual men have been in the arse.

Third stage

Left untreated, LGV can cause serious lasting damage to your arse and cock that may need surgery.

How is LGV passed on?

• fucking or being fucked
• fisting or being fisted
• sucking or being sucked
• arse play in general.

Using things like dildos on more than one man's arse can also spread the infection.

How is LGV prevented?

You can reduce the risk of LGV by:

• using a condom
• using latex gloves for fisting
• covering dildos with a fresh condom each time you use them and afterwards washing them with warm soapy water or a mix of one part bleach to 10 parts water.

If several men are having sex, fresh condoms and latex gloves are needed for each man they're used with.

No-one's immune to LGV. If you have had it before, you can get it again.

How is LGV treated?

A sample of piss or a swab from the affected area is tested for chlamydia. If positive, further tests are done to look for LGV.

A three-week course of antibiotics cures LGV as long as it's caught before the third stage.

If you have any inflammation in your arse, a check-up is essential and you should avoid having sex until the doctor or clinic tells you it's OK.