Monkeypox: An expert explains what gay and bisexual men need to know

Cases have now been reported in 78 countries including Britain, Spain, Germany, France, America and Brazil. Given the scale of the outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has now declared the current monkeypox pandemic a global health emergency.

While anyone can get monkeypoxThe current outbreak is affecting sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

In fact, our recent study that looked at 528 monkeypox infections since the start of the outbreak found that 98 percent of these infections occurred in this group. Here’s what these men need to know.

how does it spread

Monkeypox is a disease caused by infection with the human monkeypox virus, which comes from the virus family similar to smallpox.

In fact, the symptoms are quite similar chicken pox and include fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, cold symptoms (such as cough or sore throat).

Symptoms also occur with a rash appearing in blisters on the face, genitals, chest and back, and on the hands and feet.

Some people also experience very painful sores in or under the mouth. For most people, the disease usually resolves within two to three weeks.

Monkeypox is spread through close physical contact with an infected person.

Usually this means skin-to-skin contact, especially exposure to disease-causing rashes and skin lesions. But it can also spread through large respiratory droplets (such as coughing and sneezing).

It can also be spread through contact with sheets, towels or other clothing that has come into contact with an infected person’s wounds. We know that the virus can persist on surfaces for a long time – sometimes for several weeks.

According to our study, 95 percent monkeypox So far the infection was spread as a result of sexual contact.

About 95 percent of those in our study had a rash, mostly on the genitals. About 41 percent had sores inside the body (including the anus or mouth).

Our research also showed that monkeypox virus was found in more than 90 percent of the semen samples we tested. However, we do not yet know whether the virus in semen is contagious.

All of this may explain why the virus is spreading primarily through a network of men who have sex with men.

It is worth emphasizing that the virus can be spread through contact with wounds or large respiratory droplets from an infected person.

This means that it can be spread in homes through any close personal contact with an infected person – not just as a result of sexual intimacy. However, during the current outbreak, our study shows that such non-sexual transmission has so far been extremely rare, with less than 1 percent of cases.

provide security

Many countries are offering vaccinations to sexually active gay and bisexual men, who are at greatest risk of contracting the disease.

Used prior to exposure, research shows that the vaccine can provide about 85 percent protection against infection.

If given between four and 14 days after exposure to monkeypox, the vaccine can potentially reduce symptoms of the disease.

The WHO also recommends that at-risk groups limit the number of sexual partners they have and take steps to protect themselves from contact.

However, recommending dieting doesn’t really go very far, especially considering we already have a vaccine that can prevent monkeypox.

This is why getting vaccinated (and making sure everyone has equal access to these vaccines) is so important.

Given that the pandemic is currently affecting almost exclusively men who have sex with men, directing accurate and relevant public health messages and working closely with the community to develop acceptable interventions should help reduce harm. Essential to help prevent and further spread.

One of the difficulties is that gay and bisexual men represent a marginalized community that has already faced stigma and discrimination, especially during the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Nobody wants to repeat it.

But public health messages are most effective when targeted to those most at risk of a particular condition. Some even argue that messaging has not been adequately targeted during this outbreak.

While public health agencies such as the WHO, CDC, ECDC and UKHSA have already done much to provide clear, non-stigmatizing guidance to at-risk groups, it may be important that this information is now disseminated to those where they would have it. Biggest impact – like on dating apps, for example.

There is a small window to stop monkeypox from spreading – and that may have already been closed. Cases of infection are already coming in both women and children.

But the fact that the disease is still occurring mainly in one group means that, with the right intervention, the course of an outbreak can still be reversed and that group can be protected.

The most important thing now is to ensure that all countries have equal access to vaccines and treatment to prevent further spread of the infection.

The declaration of a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization is expected to coordinate the global response and open up the possibility of mass production of multiple vaccines with access for all. The question is whether it will be fast enough.

By Chloe Orkin, Chair Professor of HIV Medicine, Queen Mary University of London

This story has been published without modification in text from a wire agency feed.

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