Why are gays more likely to get monkeypox

While anyone can get monkeypox, the current outbreak is overwhelmingly affecting sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with 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. Advertisement That could be a skewed picture, of course. “MSM have a better relationship with medical practitioners than heterosexual men,” says Lilith Whittles, an infectious disease modeler at Imperial College London, which could mean they are more likely to report monkeypox symptoms and get tested for the virus.

Anyone can get monkeypox, but in the latest outbreak, the virus is predominantly spreading among gay and bisexual men. Officials noted Monday that most of the people affected reported some level. The CDC said gay men who are HIV positive or who are taking medicines to reduce their chance of contracting HIV face the greatest risk from monkeypox. In addition to the symptoms usually reported in endemic areas, some patients suffer from new conditions such as angina or rectitis inflammation of the rectal mucosa.

Protecting gay and bisexual men first, protects everyone. I think we are still at that stage where we can do that and really respond to this". Studies conducted in Italy and Germany have shown the presence of the virus in the seminal fluid of some patients, although scientists have not established its infectious nature.

The question is why MSM are overrepresented among the affected. Scientists are investigating whether the infection was introduced via a combination of single transmissions or, whether so-called "super-spreader" events, such as a festival, may have resulted in more people catching it at one time. We asked participants to choose between two hypothetical public health programs across eight head-to-head comparisons.

The current hypothesis is that the transmission of this virus during sexual intercourse is largely carried out at the level of mucosal lesions, in particular at the level of the anogenital region. Getty Images. Symptoms are also accompanied by a rash that appears in blisters on the face, genitals, the chest and back, and on the hands and feet.

Monkeypox and gay men: Separating stigma from health advice

Contacted by Franceinfo , the DGS announced that 30, doses have already been released from strategic stocks, of which 20, are already in the field. Jaime Garcia-Iglesias, a sociologist at the University of 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 might stop people from seeking the help they need.

We found that people tended to favour interventions that focused on treatment rather than prevention. Beyond the high risk of contamination attributed to close contact, the scientific community is closely monitoring the possible evolution of the virus into a sexually transmitted infection STI. 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.

For example, people were more likely to support interventions for sexually transmitted infections when these interventions were tailored for people engaged in sex work or for gay and bisexual men. Edition: Europe. However, months into the current outbreak, we have not seen these routes emerge as important pathways of transmission.

For most people, the disease usually resolves within two to three weeks. In addition to identified contact cases, the French National Authority for Health HAS extended preventive vaccinations, on July 11, to MSM, multi-partner trans people, sex workers and professionals working in sexual consumption venues. Chloe Orkin receives funding from Gilead Sciences, Viiv Healthcare, Astra Zeneca, Merck Sharpe and Dohme and Janssen for advisory boards, lectureships, travel scholarships and I have also received research grants from the same companies to my institution.

Eventually, the virus could be transmitted from humans to animals and evolve into a retro-zoonosis. According to emerging viruses specialist Yannick Simonin, anyone who has close physical contact with another person who has contracted monkeypox is at risk, regardless of their sexual orientation. Mr Sparrowhawk says people shouldn't be overly worried but if someone isn't feeling well and develops symptoms such as "fever, headache, swollen lymph glands and a rash" they should get in touch with their clinic for further advice.

Some people also experience very painful sores in the mouth or inside the bottom. For reference, more than 90 per cent of cases in non-endemic countries have been transmitted through intimate sexual contact, and the vast majority of cases are among gay men. Although their number is classified as a defense secret, the Directorate General of Health DGS released 7, doses followed by 5, doses in mid-July.