Man2Man Magazine Issue #10

A HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE RESOURCE FOR MEN IN2 MEN ISSUE #10: OCTOBER 2011 FREE!

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EDITORIAL

What’s back?

Well for starters Man2Man’s back with yet another jam packed issue.

What you may not also be aware of is that syphilis has started to make a comeback.

Yes, that disease often associated with the old days before many of us were even born.

Well over the last few years most states in Australia have seen a significant rise in numbers of new syphilis cases, mostly in sexually adventurous men and in HIV positive people.

Hence the focus of this issue of the magazine where we take a basic and a more detailed look at syphilis, plus a historical overview of this interesting disease.

Description

Infectious Stage (contd.)

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that

Seven to ten weeks after infection

infects the dick, throat or arse and

some people then develop a rash

then spreads to different parts of the

on the torso (body), hands or feet.

body through the bloodstream. If left

Symptoms may also include fever,

untreated syphilis can cause dam-

swollen lymph glands, sore throat,

age to the nerves, bones, skin, eyes,

patchy hair loss, headaches, muscle

and brain.

aches and tiredness. The symptoms

Transmission Syphilis is usually caught by touch-

may last up to a few months and then disappear.

Believe it or not, in November this year Man2Man will have been around for three years and will be celebrating its third anniversary and you can find out more about this inside.

ing sores and rashes of someone with

Non-infectious Syphilis

the infection during sex including

If left untreated, syphilis remains in

giving or receiving anal or oral sex,

the body. It stops being infectious to

or arse play. Someone can pass on

sexual partners after about 2 years.

syphilis for up to two years after they

During the non-infectious stage

We also strongly urge readers to take the time to complete our readership survey, the results of which will help us shape the future of the magazine, plus you can go into the draw to win an iPod Touch.

become infected – even if they have

syphilis may begin to damage the

no symptoms.

body’s internal organs, which may

Until next time, happy reading!

Brian Morris – Editor, Man2Man 03 6234 1242 m2m@tascahrd.org.au GPO Box 595, Hobart Tasmania 7001 www.m2mtas.com Facebook: Man2Man Tasmania www.twitter.com/Man2ManTas ISBN 978-0-646-55617-8 Views expressed in Man2Man are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of TasCAHRD. Man2Man is produced by David Williams on behalf of TasCAHRD. For production enquiries, call 0459 786 285

include the brain,nerves, eyes, heart, When there are no symptoms, the

liver, bones, joints and blood vessels.

infection can be passed on through

In some people this internal damage

contact with infected body fluids,

may not show up for years. Damage

like cum.

to internal organs can occur after

Signs and Symptoms Some people never develop symp-

10 to 25 years and may be serious enough to cause death.

early symptoms to go unnoticed.

What is the test for Syphilis?

Syphilis has infectious and noninfec-

If a sore (called a chancre) is present

tious stages

a swab can be taken of it. However,

toms and in others it’s easy for the

Infectious Stage

the usual test for syphilis is a blood test. It can take up to three months

Syphilis can produce a painless

after exposure for the infection to

sore on the dick, in the arse or in the

show up in the blood test. Once

mouth 10-90 days after infection. The

someone has been infected with

sore usually turns into a scab and

syphilis most future blood tests will

heals after two to six weeks but

show up as positive – even if they

the infection remains. Only areas

have been successfully treated. A

covered by condoms, gloves or dams

particular test is used to identify a

are protected from infection.

new infection – as well as to see if treatment has worked.

PAGE 2

Treatment Syphilis is treated with injections of

If you’ve never been tested for syphi-

antibiotics. The duration of treatment

lis, test now and avoid having sex if

depends on the stage of infection and

showing any symptoms.

ranges from between 1 and 30 days.

Treatment is often provided if you

1. How often you should test for syphi-

have had contact with someone who

lis?

has had syphilis to prevent it developing in you.If You’re HIV Positive

You are ... Get tested ...

Syphilis is harder to detect and harder to treat in people with HIV. It is a seri-

A HIV+ gay man: With every HIV

ous infection that can be mistaken for

check-up

other infections found in people with HIV. While the symptoms of syphilis

A HIV- gay man into fisting, group sex

infection are usually similar, some

and sharing toys: At least twice a year

HIV positive men develop severe or-

with every HIV test

gan and nerve damage much more rapidly than HIV negative men. For

A HIV- gay man with more than 20

some, syphilis can decrease the CD4

sexual partners in six months: At least

count (therefore causing damage to

twice a year with every HIV test

the immune system) as well as increase the viral load. Having syphilis

A HIV- gay man with less then 20 sex-

increases the risks of HIV transmis-

ualpartners per six months: At least

sion.

once a year with every HIV test

Prevention

2. Plan your confidential regular

Avoid contact with any sores or rash-

testing reminders at thedramadow-

es. Safe sex, for HIV, is not completely

nunder.info by SMS or email.

safe for syphilis but provides the best protection.

Routine Testing Incorporating syphilis testing into

3. Ask for a syphilis test from your GP or Sexual Health Clinic when you receive your thedramadownunder.info reminder.

your routine sexual health check-ups and HIV monitoring is easy (it takes

4. Notify your sexual partners confi-

no additional time or blood samples)

dentially with thedramadownunder.

and an important way of looking

info, if you have

after your health and well-being.

HOT TiPS for good sexual health Get tested regularly

The more sex partners you have the more often you should get tested. At least yearly if you have any casual partners and 3-6 monthly if you have a lot. This reduces the chances of having an undiagnosed STI that can harm your own health as well as increase your risk of picking up or passing on HIV.

Recognise and act on symptoms

If it stings when you piss, if you find a sore on your dick or arse or if you get a rash or itch don’t just hope it will go away - get it checked out.

Tell your recent sex partners

If you’ve been diagnosed with an STI, or even just think you have one, let your recent sex partners know so they can get checked. This reduces the number of STIs in the community and reduces your chances of getting it again.

Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B

There are vaccinations available for both hepatitis A and B which may be prescribed by a GP or possibly available for free from sexual health clinics.

Use condoms and water based lube Condoms provide the most effective protection against the transmission of HIV and significantly reduce the risks of picking up a range of other STIs.

For more info on STIs, testing , treatments or the location of clinics, check out www.thedramadownunder.info.

This campaign was developed by ACON. Reproduced with permission

PAGE 3

A More Detailed Possibly the most important thing about syphilis testing is that it can identify a potentially serious infection which is easily cured.

Regular and frequent testing in the community will go a long way towards reducing the pool of infection that is in the community.

H istorica lly testing or screening for syphilis was not so readily available for gay and bisexual men.

However the good news is that testing for syphilis is readily available at your local sexual health clinic, general practice or medical centre.

For patients and at times doctors the issue of syphilis testing can prove to be somewhat confusing and frustrating.

For the likes of Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea there is a single and accurate test that tells us that the patient either does or does not have the infection at the time of the clinic visit.

For syphilis blood test results that prove to be positive the doctor needs to make an assessment by putting together not just the blood test result but any available information about past symptoms, results and treatment and to a degree findings (if any ) from a clinical examination. So for syphilis testing it is not always clear-cut.

But the good news is that as most gay men have not had syphilis their blood tests will be negative.

If regular testing shows a subsequent test to be positive then this can be interpreted as a new or recent infection and thus be treated appropriately.

For such earlier infections treatment is usually with a single dose penicillin (Benzathine) injection into the buttock.

PAGE 4

d Look at Syphilis Testing Some FAQ in Relation to Syphilis Testing Do we have a blood test that tells us if the patient has ever been in contact and infected with syphilis?

Yes. These are called treponemalspecific tests and they are so called as they specifically detect only the antibodies that appear in the in the blood after infection with the bacteria treponema pallidum that causes syphilis.

The most common first line test these days is simply called the Syphilis antibody or Syphilis EIA test.

Will Syphilis EIA antibodies show for many years in the blood?

Yes. As a general rule if someone has ever had syphilis the EIA test will show positive for life despite adequate and successful treatment.

If someone’s earlier test was negative and more recently shows positive what does this mean?

This indicates that the individual has recently been infected with syphilis.

They need treatment and their recent contacts need treating.

Do we have a test to tell us that the patient has gotten rid of syphilis with treatment?

Yes – at least indirectly- we use an old fashioned or second-line test called the RPR blood test that provides a useful quantitative antibody level and these levels give us some insights into disease activity.

Often in the primary stage and more so in the secondary stage of syphilis an individual will have a high RPR level e.g. 1:16 or 1:32 or 1:64 and these numbers usually come down over a 12 month period following successful treatment.

However not in all cases do they return right down to zero or negative.

Will a swab be taken for syphilis?

There is PCR swab that can be taken from a lesion to detect the DNA or genetic material of syphilis but it is the

blood test that is used more commonly in clinical practice.

How often should you be tested for syphilis?

Well it depends. Annual testing is recommended for gay or bisexual men who may be at low risk of being exposed to syphilis whilst others with frequent partner change should have testing 3-6 monthly.

Because of increases in the rates of syphilis in some populations of gay men there is a shift towards recommending more frequent testing.

If you have been told that you have been in contact with syphilis how long will it take for the antibodies to show in your blood?

This is an important question as the antibodies on average take a few weeks to 3 months to show positive.

Remember as once the antibodies to the treponemal-specific tests are present they will be detectable for life, and for some men this may cause considerable anxiety, stigma and in some instances repeated unnecessary retreatment.

In some instances if someone has had sexual contact with someone infectious for syphilis having the treatment early enough in a prophylactic way may avert the development and appearance of the antibodies.

The testing for syphilis is not that expensive and many services can either provide the test without charge or bulk billed through Medicare.

This is important and supported by various agencies as syphilis is an important infection that should be identified and treated early on as this removes the risk of passing the infection on to others but also it cuts out the risk of complications later in life.

In all States positive syphilis results are notified to public health authorities for the purpose of epidemiological monitoring. Notably all health care workers and this includes pathology staff are obliged to follow appropriate confidential control measures.

Article by Dr Chris Carmody, Sexual Health Physician

“An STI screen at the Sexual Health Service is free of charge and totally confidential”

However in clinical practice this is a rare situation.

SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICE CONTACT DETAILS:

What if I have had syphilis in the past?

HOBART 03 6233 3557

Does it provide me with immunity just as is the case with some other infectious diseases?

LAUNCESTON 03 6336 2216

No - an individual definitely can be reinfected with syphilis and this is more likely to occur with more frequent partner change and at times of relative epidemics of syphilis.

In this instance there may be new symptoms and the RPR titre level will rise again indicating the need for treatment.

DEVONPORT 03 6421 7759 BURNIE 03 6434 6315 FREECALL NUMBER 1800 675 859 EMAIL sexual.health@dhhs.tas.gov.au

PAGE 5

Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations

are you really sure he's hiv negative too?

If he has had sex without condoms since his last HIV test, he may have picked up, and be passing on HIV. One-third of all new HIV infections come from men who don’t even know they are HIV positive.

Some of the people most likely to pass on HIV may not even know they have it.

If you can’t be sure of his HIV status, use condoms and lube.

PAGE 6

Help put a stop to HIV/AIDS and support Tasmanians who are living with HIV

Be a Red Ribbon Appeal Volunteer on World AIDS Day, 1st of December 2011

6234 1242 redribbon@tascahrd.org.au AIDS Awareness Week 2011 Tasmania

Help shape the future of Be part of a focus group evaluating the magazine.

Coming soon in Hobart, Launceston & Burnie.

Contact Brian Morris on 6234 1242 or m2m@tascahrd.org.au

PAGE 7

Man2Man Readership Survey 2011

Man2Man is Tasmania's only men's health magazine distributed free state­wide. In order to continue to provide a professional high quality publication we are undertaking an extensive evaluation of the magazine.

By completing this readership survey you are providing us with valuable feedback which will shape the future of the Man2Man magazine.

On completion of the survey you will have the option of going into a draw to win a 16GB iPod Touch.

*1. What is your gender? j Male k l m n

j Transgender k l m n

j Female k l m n

j Intersex k l m n

*2. How old are you? j Under 18 k l m n j 18 ­ 25 k l m n

j 26 ­ 35 k l m n

j 36 ­ 45 k l m n

j 46 ­ 60 k l m n

j Over 61 k l m n

*3. What is the postcode of your place of residence?

*4. How would you describe your sexual identity? j Gay k l m n

j Bisexual k l m n

j Heterosexual k l m n

j Lesbian k l m n

j Other (please specify) k l m n

*5. Are you aware of the Man2Man magazine?

j Yes k l m n

j No k l m n

j Unsure k l m n

*6. Have you read one or more issue/s of the Man2Man magazine?

j Yes k l m n

j No k l m n

j Unsure k l m n

*7. How many issues of the Man2Man magazine have you read? j One only k l m n j k l m n

j Three issues k l m n

Two issues

j More than three isues k l m n

*8. Do you share your copy of the Man2Man magazine? j No, only I read it k l m n

j Yes, I share it with one k l m n other person

j Yes, I share it with two or k l m n more people

*9. How much of the Man2Man magazine do you usually read?

I read

PAGE 8

All of it

Most of it

Some of it

A little

Just browse

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

Man2Man Readership Survey 2011

*10. Do you normally read a hard copy or electronic version of the Man2Man magazine? j Print hard copy k l m n j A bit of both k l m n

j Electonic copy (e.g. PDF, Man2Man website) k l m n

*11. You said you usually read the print hard copy, is there a reason for this? Tick as many as appropriate c I prefer a hard copy d e f g

c I receive a hard copy in the mail d e f g

c I did not know it is available online d e f g

c No real reason d e f g

c I do not have or have limited access to d e f g a computer or the internet

*12. Where did you obtain your most recent copy of the Man2Man magazine? j Subscription k l m n

j State Library k l m n

j Community organisation k l m n

j Nightclub, bar or pub k l m n

j University of Tasmania k l m n

j Tasmanian Polytechnic k l m n

j Adult shop k l m n

j Health organisation k l m n

j k l m n

j Other (please specify) k l m n

j Website k l m n

j TasCAHRD k l m n

j Police station k l m n

j Hairdressing salon k l m n

j Email k l m n

j Laundromat k l m n

j Doctors or medical centre k l m n

j Shop,cafe or restaurant k l m n

Backpackers hostel

j Sexual health service k l m n

*13. How would you rate the quality of the Man2Man magazine?

Excellent

Good

Average

Poor

Very poor

Cover

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

Content

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

Ease of reading

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

Layout and design

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

Images

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

*14. How would you rate the overall quality of the Man2Man magazine?

Overall quality was

Excellent

Good

Average

Poor

Very poor

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

PAGE 9

TASMANIAN GLBTI SE Man2Man Readership Survey 2011

*15. Which sections of the Man2Man magazine do you

normally read?

Sometimes Always read

Sometimes

read,

Infrequently

read

sometimes

read

Never read Do not recall

do not read Editorial

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

Sexual health

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

articles Tasmanian GLBTI services & groups listing Other health articles Upcoming Tasmanian GLBTI events Advertisements

*16. How would you rate the following sections of the Man2Man

magazine?

Very useful

Useful

Editorial

j k l m n

j k l m n

Sexual health

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

Other health articles Upcoming

Neither useful nor

Somewhat useful

Not useful

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

not useful

articles Tasmanian GLBTI services & groups listing

Tasmanian GLBTI events Advertisements

*17. Do you consider the Man2Man magazine to be a credible source of information?

Strongly agree

Agree

j k l m n

j k l m n

I consider the

Neither agree nor disagree

j k l m n

Disagree

Strongly disagree

j k l m n

j k l m n

Man2Man magazine to be a credible source of information

*18. Overall do you find the Man2Man magazine an interesting read?

I find the Man2Man magazine to be an interesting read

PAGE 10

Strongly agree

Agree

j k l m n

j k l m n

Neither agree nor disagree

j k l m n

Disagree

Strongly disagree

j k l m n

j k l m n

ERVICES AND GROUPS Man2Man Readership Survey 2011

*19. Has the Man2Man magazine increased your understanding of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

Strongly agree

Agree

j k l m n

j k l m n

The Man2Man

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

magazine has increased my understanding of STIs and HIV

*20. Has the Man2Man magazine made you more conscious of the

importance of safe sex?

Stongly agree

Agree

j k l m n

j k l m n

The Man2Man

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Stongly disagree

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

magazine has made me more conscious of the importance of safe sex

*21. What future topics would you like to see in the Man2Man magazine?

(Tick as many as appropriate) c HIV & Ageing d e f g

c Stigma & discrimination d e f g

c TasCAHRD CEO message d e f g c Legal issues d e f g

c Hepatitis d e f g

c Overseas travel health tips d e f g

c HIV Treatment information d e f g

c Letters from readers d e f g c Lifestyle issues d e f g

c d e f g

c Nutrition, health & fitness d e f g c Sex & relationships d e f g

c Social groups & organisations d e f g

c GLBTI services d e f g

c General men's health d e f g

c Opinion poll d e f g

c TasCAHRD services d e f g

c Mental health d e f g

c Sexuality d e f g

c Legal/criminalisation d e f g

Useful websites & links

c HIV d e f g

c HIV & Mental health d e f g

c Sexual health d e f g

c Alcohol & other drugs d e f g

c GLBTI events d e f g

c Personal stories of positive people d e f g

c Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander d e f g issues

c Other (please specify) d e f g

*22. We currently publish four issues of the Man2Man magazine each year.

Would you like to see more or less issues each year?

More than four issues I would like to see

j k l m n

Same as currently published (four issues)

j k l m n

Less than four issues

j k l m n

PAGE 11

Man2Man Readership Survey 2011

*23. As a result of reading the Man2Man magazine have you undertaken any of the following activities? Choose as many as appropriate. c Attended an event promoted in the Man2Man d e f g

c No action taken d e f g

magazine

c d e f g

c Visited the Man2Man or TasCAHRD websites d e f g

Volunteered for an activity promoted in the Man2Man

magazine

c Used the contact details of the organisations listed in d e f g the Man2Man magazine

c Discussed an artilce you read in the Man2Man d e f g magazine

c Other (please specify) d e f g

*24. Have you visited any of the following websites? c Man2Man website (www.m2mtas.com) d e f g

c I have not visited these websites before d e f g

c TasCAHRD website d e f g (www.tascahrd.org.au)

*25. The Man2Man magazine is currently exclusively for gay and bisexual men. If the Man2Man magazine was merged into a new resource for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Intersex (GLBTI) community, would this be acceptable to you?

Acceptable I would find this

Somewhat

Neither acceptable

Somewhat

acceptable

nor unacceptable

unacceptable

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

j k l m n

Unacceptabe

j k l m n

Your comments or concerns about this would be valued

5 6

*26. Would you be interested in volunteer work on the Man2Man Program at TasCAHRD? If yes in which of the following areas would suit you? j Helping with the k l m n Man2Man magazine

j Writing articles for the k l m n Man2Man magazine

j Helping with the k l m n Man2Man website

j Internet Outreach k l m n

j Assisting TasCAHRD at k l m n community events

j No thanks k l m n

(online health educator)

27. Do you have any other thoughts or comments about the Man2Man magazine you would like to share with us?

5

6

PAGE 12

Man2Man Readership Survey 2011 28. To enter the draw to win the iPod Touch please click here or enter your name, postal/email address and telephone number in the box below.

If you enter the draw your contact details are kept separate to your survey.

Confidentiality is assured.

5

6 Please place ALL PAGES* of your completed survey in a closed envelope addressed to:

REPLY PAID 595 TASCAHRD GPO BOX 595 HOBART TASMANIA 7001

NO POSTAGE STAMP REQUIRED

*Incomplete surveys will be disqualified from the draw

In addition, if you wish to provide us with feedback on the Man2Man magazine please feel free to contact our staff at any time. Contact details are listed below.

Brian Morris Man2Man Program Coordinator Tel: (03) 6234 1242 Email: m2m@tascahrd.org.au

Congratulations on successfully completing the Man2Man Readership Survey

Thank you for your feedback in completing this survey.

It will help improve Man2Man to better suit your needs.

You are now in the draw to win an iPod Touch.

All the best!

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

This campaign was developed by ACON. Reproduced with permission.

Building a better understanding of HIV Many of those involved in the prevention and management of HIV in Australia will meet in Canberra next month for the 2011 Australasian HIV/ AIDS Conference.

Among the many topics being discussed will be the increasingly promising effects of the use of HIV treatments to prevent the transmission of HIV and challenges in working to increase rates of HIV testing by those most as risk.

There is growing excitement over trials providing evidence that people with HIV who are on effective antiretroviral treatment are unlikely to pass the virus on to their sex partners.

This also means that there is worrying evidence that people with the virus who remain untested and untreated are more likely to experience poorer health later and earlier disease progression.

Crucial in the ongoing battle against HIV is an improved understanding of how people experience HIV. One national project helping to build that understanding is the HIV Seroconversion Study. Conducted by a team of researchers from the University of New South Wales and La Trobe University, this study interviews people who have recently been diagnosed with HIV to explore how the infection occurred, and what the experience of living with a recent diagnosis is like.

Findings from the study are used to inform future HIV prevention strategies, as well as to help ensure appropriate information and support services are available for those who are recently diagnosed.

Between 2000-2008 there was an average of six new HIV diagnoses a year in Tasmania.

However, in 2009 that number jumped to 15 new infections. Although this represents just 1% of total infections in Australia, local factors mean that the experiences of people in Tasmania at risk of HIV may be quite different from elsewhere in Australia. In order to help understand why this increase occurred, and how we can help reduce these numbers, the study team, in partnership with TasCAHRD and the Department of Health and Human Services are calling for people who were diagnosed with HIV in the past few years to take 20 minutes to complete an anonymous online survey to share their stories.

To find out more about the study, go to www.hivss.net.

Or for more information contact Ian on 02 9385 9954, or at idown@ kirby.unsw.edu.au.

A study for people recently diagnosed with HIV

www.hivss.net

seroconversion@kirby.unsw.edu.au or 02 9385 9954

PAGE 15

THE HISTORY OF SYPHILIS

Franz Schubert

Napoleon Bonaparte

Sir Alexander Fleming

The history of syphilis has been well studied, but the exact origin of syphilis is unknown. There are two primary hypotheses: one proposes that syphilis was carried from the Americas to Europe by the crew of Christopher Columbus, the other proposes that syphilis previously existed in Europe but went unrecognized.

Many famous historical figures are believed to have had the disease.

These are “Columbian” hypotheses Columbian supported evidence.

referred to as the and “pre-Columbian” respectively.

The hypothesis is best by the available

Sometimes these allegations were false and formed part of a political whispering campaign. In other instances, retrospective diagnoses of suspected cases have been made in modern times.

in 1451 in Genoa, Italy. The Italian navigator Columbus sailed from Spain across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 and discovered the route to America. It is believed that the spread of syphilis across the globe was probably sparked by Christopher Columbus and his crew.

Columbus became infected with syphilis and later died of the deadly disease.

The first written records of an outbreak of syphilis in Europe occurred in 1494/1495 in Naples Italy, during a French invasion.

• John Batman (1801–1839), founder of Melbourne • Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821), emperor of France • Al Capone (1899–1947), gangster • Lord Randolph Churchill (1849– 1895), British politician, father of British PM Winston Churchill • Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890), painter • Henry VIII (1491–1547), king of England • Ivan the Terrible (1530–1584), Czar of Russia • Scott Joplin (1867/8–1917), composer • Franz Schubert (1797–1828), composer • Oscar Wilde (1854–1900), writer • Adolf Hitler (1889–1945), politician

Due to it being spread by returning French troops, the disease was known as “French disease”, and it was not until 1530 that the term ‘syphilis’ was first applied by the Italian physician and poet Girolamo Fracastoro.

The causative organism, Treponema pallidum, was first identified by Fritz Schaudinn and Erich Hoffmann in 1905.

The first effective treatment (Salvarsan) was developed in 1910

by Paul Ehrlich which was followed by the introduction of penicillin in 1943.

PAGE 16

Many famous historical figures, including Charles VIII of France, Hernan Cortes of Spain, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Ivan the Terrible, were often alleged to have had syphilis or other sexually transmitted infections.

A BACKGROUND ON FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO DIED OF SYPHILIS: Christopher Columbus: was born

Napoleon Bonaparte: was born in 1769. He was the first ruler of the Bonaparte dynasty. He conquered and ruled over much of western and central Europe. Napoleon was one of the so called “Enlighten Monarch”. Napoleon too suffered from syphilis and probably died due to consumption of arsenic which was used for treatment for syphilis during that time.

Franz Schubert: born in 1797, was as an early romantic Austrian composer and one of the most gifted musicians of the 19th century. He is best known for his lieder, German art songs for voice and piano. He had battled syphilis since 1822. In the midst of his career his health deteriorated. The cause of his death was consumption of mercury which was a common treatment of syphilis in 19th century.

HISTORICAL TREATMENTS FOR SYPHILIS There was originally no effective treatment available for syphilis.

Many remedies were used to try to

Adolf Hitler

Al Capone

Christopher Columbus

stop this disease from spreading and some of these included; • Guaiacum • Heartsease (wild pansy) • Mercury • Salvarsan • Neosalvarsan • Infection with malaria

was used as treatment

for tertiary syphilis • Hyperthermal cabinets (sweat-boxes)

By 1928, Fleming was investigating the properties of the staphylococcal bacterium.

a substance that killed a number of disease-causing bacteria. He identified the mould as being from the Penicillium genus and after some months of calling it “mould juice” he named the substance it released penicillin on the 7th of March 1929.

These treatments were finally rendered obsolete by the discovery of penicillin, and its widespread manufacture after World War II allowed syphilis to be effectively and reliably cured.

THE DISCOVERY OF PENICILLIN Sir Alexander Fleming was a Scottish biologist and pharmacologist.

He wrote many articles on bacteriology, immunology and chemotherapy.

His best-known discoveries are the discovery of the enzyme lysozyme in 1923 and the antibiotic substance penicillin from the mould Penicillium notatum in 1928.

He was already well-known from his earlier work and had developed a reputation as a brilliant researcher, but his laboratory was often untidy.

On 3rd September 1928, Fleming returned to his laboratory having spent August on holiday with his family.

Before leaving, he had stacked all his cultures of staphylococci on a bench in a corner of his laboratory.

On returning, Fleming noticed that one culture was contaminated with a fungus and that the colonies of staphylococci that had immediately surrounded it had been destroyed, whereas other colonies farther away were normal.

Fleming grew the mould in a pure culture and found that it produced

REFERENCES

FOR FREE COPIES OF RESOURCE PUBLICATIONS

• History of syphilis http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/History_of_syphilis

Contact: Brian Morris Tel: 6234 1242 or Email: m2m@tascahrd.org.au

• List of syphilis cases http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/List_of_syphilis_cases

In 1999, Time magazine named Fleming one of the “100 Most Important People of the 20th Century” for his discovery of penicillin.

Man2Man would like to acknowledge that parts of this article were sourced from the following information sources:

ADDITIONAL INFO SOURCES

SYPHILIS

• DHHS Syphilis Fact Sheet http://www.dhhs.tas.gov. au/__data/assets/pdf_ file/0017/40292/Syphilis. pdf • The Dramadownunder http://thedramadownunder.info/bugs/syphilis • Toolbox - A Guide to Sexually Transmissible Infections For Men www.m2mtas.com/sexualhealth/

PAGE 17

Do You Want To Be In Man2Man’s 3rd Birthday Edition?

In November Man2Man is celebrating its 3rd birthday and to commemorate this grand occasion the Man2Man Program is publishing a special “Man2Man Special Birthday Edition”.

The issue will include advertisements from supporters and friends of both the Man2Man Program and TasCAHRD and will offer a unique opportunity to small businesses around Tasmania to use the magazine as an excellent tool for advertising their business throughout the state.

PAGE 18

Discounted advertising rates will be offered for this once only special birthday edition.

The magazine has a print run of 5000 copies and is the only Tasmanian men’s health publication that is distributed free of cost state wide.

If you want to be part of this celebration or if would like to know more about advertising in the Man2Man magazine, please don’t hesitate to contact our staff.

Brian Morris Program Coordinator Man2Man Program Tel: (03) 6234 1242 Email: m2m@tascahrd.org.au Alistair Pinto Program Officer Man2Man Program Tel: (03) 6234 1242 Email: apinto@tascahrd.org.au For more details on our advertising rates check out our rate card at www. m2mtas.com. Website advertising options are available, also

TasCAHRD HIV Positive Lifestyle Event TasCAHRD is holding a health promotion event on the 12th and 13th October 2011 to support people who are living with HIV in gaining and/or maintaining healthy lifestyles.

For people who are positive we will provide a half day Lifestyle Workshop and One to One Peer Support sessions with Vic Perry from PLWHA Victoria and a full day Nutrition Clinic run by Nutritionist Jenny McDonald.

The event will culminate with a ‘Savvy and Sorted with HIV’ Dinner including three medical specialist speakers. The dinner will provide an interactive forum for HIV positive people and other interested parties to hear about current issues in HIV across the sector and in the community. We haven’t had an event quite like this in Tasmania before and the Nutrition Clinic hasn’t been held for at least a year, so we are hoping it will be a success. We have approached pharmaceutical companies for funding, with some good results. As soon as we are able we will make more details available. So keep an eye on the TasCAHRD website and watch this publication for further information.

FOR MORE DETAILS Kate Bennett TasCAHRD HIV/AIDS Client Support Officer Phone: 03 6234 1242 Email: KBennett@tascahrd.org.au Website: www.tascahrd.org.au Fax: 03 6234 1630

Article by Kate Bennett, HIV/AIDS Client Support Officer, TasCAHRD

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PAGE 19

UPCOMING TASMANIAN GLBTI EVENTS FRIDAY 7TH OCTOBER RAINBOW SUPPORT & DISCUSSION GROUP (18yrs+) Hosted by Working It Out in DPT. Contact Sharon on 0419 361 128 oe email: north@ workingitout.org.au

ALLSORTS LGBTI Friendly Youth Group for Under 26 5pm - 6:45pm, 45 Canning St (Office), Launceston. RSVP Sharon on 0419 361 128 or email: north@workingitout. org.au

SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER CONNECT4LIFE SOCIAL EVENT Lunch hosted by Working It Out in Deloraine. Women only.

Contact Sharon on 0419 361 128 or email north@workingitout. org.au

FRIDAY 28TH OCTOBER CONNECT4LIFE SOCIAL EVENT Dinner at King of Burnie Hotel Hosted by Working It Out North West.

Contact Sharon for details on 0419 361 128 or email: north@ workingitout.org.au

MONDAY 17TH OCTOBER TRANS SUPPORT AND DISCUSSION GROUPS (18yrs +) 5-7pm at 45 Canning Street, Launceston. Contact Sharon on 0419 361 128 or email: north@ workingitout.org.au TUESDAY 18TH OCTOBER ALLSORTS LGBTI Friendly Youth Group (U/26) 4:30pm at 39 Burnett Street, North Hobart. Call Sue on 6231 1200 or accounts@workingitout. org.au WEDNESDAY 19TH OCTOBER RAINBOW SUPPORT & DISCUSSION GROUP (18yrs +) Hosted by Working It Out in Burnie at the King of Burnie Hotel, 5pm - 7pm For more details contact Sharon on 0419 361 128 or email: north@ workingitout.org.au FRIDAY 21ST OCTOBER RAINBOW SUPPORT & DISCUSSION GROUP (18yrs +) 5-7pm at 39 Burnett Street, North Hobart. For more details contact Sue Tel: (03) 6231 1200 or email: accounts@ workingitout.org.au THURSDAY 27TH OCTOBER RAINBOW SUPPORT & DISCUSSION GROUP (18yrs +) Ten pin bowling @ AMF Bowling, 4 Innocent St, Kings Meadows at 7pm. Please RSVP to Sharon on 0419 361 128 or email: north@workingitout. org.au

TUESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER TRANS SUPPORT AND DISCUSSION GROUPS (18yrs +) 5-7pm at 39 Burnett Street, North Hobart. For more details contact Sue Tel: (03) 6231 1200 or email: accounts@workingitout.org.au WEDNESDAY 2ND NOVEMBER ALLSORTS LGBTI Friendly Youth Group for Under 26 3-5pm at The Zone, Devonport.

For more details contact Sharon on 0419 361 128 or email: north@workingitout.org.au FRIDAY 4TH NOVEMBER RAINBOW SUPPORT & DISCUSSION GROUP (18yrs+) Hosted by Working It Out in DPT. For more details contact Sharon on 0419 361 128 oe email: north@workingitout.org.au SATURDAY 5TH NOVEMBER INAUGURAL TASPRIDE PARADE The Pride Parade, will be part of the TasPride Festival.

For more details please contact Pride Parade Manager Olivia Hogarth via ohogarth@gmail. com SUNDAY 6TH NOVEMBER BBQ AT HOLLYBANK RESERVE Hosted by The League of Gentlefellows in the North to Celebrate TasPride Week. All LGBTI and friends welcome.

Phone Sami for further details on 0431 816 032 or Email: samifryer@hotmail.com

MONDAYS: “TOM, DICK & HARRIET” QUEER RADIO, 10-12NOON Hobart’s Sexuality & Gender Issues Radio Show on Edge Radio 99.3FM

FRIDAY 11TH NOVEMBER TO SUNDAY 13TH NOVEMBER BORN THIS WAY RETREAT LGBTI Community Members and Allies For bookings and more information contact Sharon Jones on 0419 361 128 or sharonljones@bigpond.com MONDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2011 TO WEDNESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER AN INTRODUCTION TO WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO SELF-ABUSE 3 Day Training Workshop. Costs $600 Where: Punchbowl Christian Centre, 100 Punchbowl Road, Launceston Go to: www.safeinoz.com.au for more details WEDNESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER RAINBOW SUPPORT & DISCUSSION GROUP (18yrs +) Hosted by Working It Out in Burnie at the King of Burnie Hotel, 5pm - 7pm For more details contact Sharon on 0419 361 128 or email: north@ workingitout.org.au FRIDAY 18TH NOVEMBER RAINBOW SUPPORT & DISCUSSION GROUP (18yrs +) 5-7pm at 39 Burnett Street, North Hobart. For more details contact Sue Tel: (03) 6231 1200 or email: accounts@workingitout.org.au FRIDAY 25TH NOVEMBER TO SUNDAY 27TH NOVEMBER BORN THIS WAY RETREAT Service Providers and Interested Professionals For bookings and more information contact Sharon Jones on 0419 361 128 or sharonljones@bigpond.com SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER ANNUAL RAINBOW DINNER & AWARDS 2011 At the Wrest Point Derwent Room For further details visit www. logtas.org and contact Julian on 6239 6606 or email: julian@ logtas.org EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT, THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEFELLOWS Meets every Friday at the Tasmanian Inn, Hobart.

Contact Julian on 6239 6606 or Email: jpunch@tassie.net.au

THURSDAY 1ST DECEMBER WORLD AIDS DAY 2011 Contact the TasCAHRD office if you would like to volunteer on 6234 1242 or email: mail@ tascahrd.org.au FRIDAY 2ND DECEMBER RAINBOW SUPPORT & DISCUSSION GROUP (18yrs+) Hosted by Working It Out in Devonport.

For more details contact Sharon on 0419 361 128 or email: north@ workingitout.org.au TUESDAY 6TH DECEMBER TRANS SUPPORT AND DISCUSSION GROUPS (18yrs +) 5-7pm at 39 Burnett Street, North Hobart.

For more details contact Sue Tel: (03) 6231 1200 or email: accounts@workingitout.org.au WEDNESDAY 7TH DECEMBER ALLSORTS LGBTI Friendly Youth Group for Under 26 3-5pm at The Zone, Devonport.

For more details contact Sharon on 0419 361 128 or email: north@ workingitout.org.au SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER CONNECT4LIFE SOCIAL EVENT Lunch hosted by Working It Out in Deloraine. Women only For more details contact Sharon on 0419 361 128 or email north@ workingitout.org.au FRIDAY 16TH DECEMBER RAINBOW SUPPORT & DISCUSSION GROUP (18yrs +) 5-7pm at 39 Burnett Street, North Hobart.

For more details contact Sue Tel: (03) 6231 1200 or email: accounts@workingitout.org.au

EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEFELLOWS Meets every Tuesday for meet and greet evenings, at The Metz in Launceston from 16:30 to 18:30. Phone/Text Sami on 0431 816 032 or just show up.