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Why Safe Sex Is Important During a Monkeypox Outbreak
Monkeypox is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, including sex
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/monkeypox-spread-through-sex/
Why Safe Sex Is Important During a Monkeypox Outbreak
A recent outbreak of monkeypox has researchers questioning how the virus spreads. Once rarely seen outside of Africa, this disease is similar to smallpox. As of June 17, 2022, there have been more than 2,520 cases across 37 countries where the virus isn’t normally seen, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because it’s traveled far beyond its presumed initial origins, and in an effort to destigmatize the virus’s connection to Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) is in the process of determining a name change
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Researchers are discovering that a majority of the cases this year have occurred in the United Kingdom, predominantly among men who have sex with men (MSM). Given the risk of stigma and worsening discrimination, it’s important to recognize that this is the first widespread outbreak of monkeypox mainly among this demographic and that anyone can get monkeypox, not just MSM.
Given the numbers, researchers believe the virus may be spreading through social gatherings, sexual activity and intimate skin-to-skin contact. Infectious disease expert Steven Gordon, MD, explains how monkeypox may be spreading in this way and shares advice on why it’s increasingly important to have safe sex during an outbreak.
How is monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact including:
- Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox. We believe this is currently the most common way that monkeypox is spreading in the U.S.
- Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
- Contact with respiratory secretions.
This contact can happen during intimate contact including:
- Oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) of a person with monkeypox.
- Hugging, massage, and kissing.
- Prolonged face-to-face contact.
- Touching fabrics and objects during sex that were used by a person with monkeypox and that have not been disinfected, such as bedding, towels, fetish gear, and sex toys.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
- You may experience all or only a few of the symptoms of monkeypox.
- Most people with monkeypox will get a rash. Some people have developed a rash before (or without) flu-like symptoms.
- Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus.
- The flu-like symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, sore throat, cough, swollen lymph nodes, chills, or exhaustion.
- If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.
- The rash may be located on or near the genitals or anus but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, or face.
- The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
- The rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
- The rash may also be inside the body, including the mouth, vagina, or anus.
Monkeypox can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take several weeks.
