Why is monkey pox more prominent in gay men

Monkeypox: Why are gay and bisexual men more affected?

Regardless of sexual orientation, the main factor of propagation remains the multiplicity of sexual partners. While anyone can get monkeypox, the current outbreak is overwhelmingly affecting sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Keywords: Outbreak, monkeypox, men who have sex with men, public health, surveillance Background Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family.

There are two distinct genetic clades of the MPXV: the Central African (Congo Basin) clade and the West African clade. Anyone can get monkeypox, but in the latest outbreak, the virus is predominantly spreading among gay and bisexual men.

Why it’s important to tell people that monkeypox is predominately affecting gay and bisexual men

Officials noted Monday that most of the people affected reported some level. We answer all of your questions about monkeypox, the viral infection that's been detected among gay and bisexual men in the UK. This may be due to changes in the more transmission dynamic of MPXV or due to enhanced cleaning procedures implemented in response to COVID in places prominent as gyms and restrooms.

Alex Sparrowhawk, from the trust's health improvement team, says they're worried people might mistakenly regard monkeypox as gay so-called gay disease and says everyone needs to be aware of the signs and symptoms. The why is whether it will be fast enough. If you have a new and unusual sore or rash it's advised that you contact your local sexual-health clinic, but don't turn up for an in-person appointment unannounced.

I think we are still at that stage where we can do that and really respond to this". People generally preferred interventions for common chronic diseases — such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer — and were less likely to favour interventions for behaviour-related conditionssuch as sexually transmitted infections. The new paper addressed the still open question of whether monkeypox might transmit through semen.

We are worried about everyone's health. How to tell if it is monkeypox. Got a new pox Those who are most at risk after coming into contact with a confirmed monkeypox case are urged to isolate at home for up to three weeks. But with most confirmed cases among men who have sex with men, doctors are encouraging this group to be particularly alert to symptoms. New York City, the U. Jaime Garcia-Iglesias, a sociologist at the University men Edinburgh who has studied how Aids and Covid affected certain communities, says there's a "significant risk" that the stigma "comes to the surface again" and monkey stop people from seeking the help they need.

Gay and bisexual people were subject to stigma and homophobia following the Aids crisis in the s and s. Monkeypox often prompts initial flu-like symptoms before a rash breaks out, followed by the emergence of skin lesions. Follow NBC News. The World Health Organization has declared the virus a global health emergency.

Monkeypox and gay men: Separating stigma from health advice

However, before last year, most people in Europe and North America had never even heard of the disease. Having HIV was not associated with any differences in monkeypox health outcomes. Others have warned that connecting MPXV to an already stigmatized community will worsen stigma towards gay sex.

And for many people, the disease is relatively mild and resolves on its own in a few weeks without any need for medical intervention. If we take the time to share evidence with them about the challenges that stigmatized communities face, they will be more willing to support policies and efforts to address these challenges.

Varma, an infectious disease expert at Weill Cornell Medicine. The new paper supports these characterizations of the outbreak. Vaccines Bisexuality Men who have sex with men Monkeypox Gay men. The recent sharp rise in U. If given between four and 14 days after exposure to monkeypox, the vaccine may potentially reduce symptoms of the disease.