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A large proportion of monkeypox cases diagnosed in the UK are among
gay and bisexual men.
Doctors and public-health experts have spoken to the BBC about the
"delicate balance" of keeping those currently most at risk informed,
without stigmatising them or letting others become complacent.
Does monkeypox spread faster among gay and bisexual men?
The short answer is no. Anyone can be infected by monkeypox.
The virus is not a sexually transmitted infection. It's mostly
caught through close physical skin-to-skin contact, which is why it
can be spread to sexual partners.
But with most confirmed cases among men who have sex with men,
doctors are encouraging this group to be particularly alert to
symptoms.
What is monkeypox and how do you catch it?
How to tell if a rash might be monkeypox
So why are gay men catching it more right now?
As monkeypox is often caught through direct contact, once it's
introduced to a community, it is more likely to spread through that
community among those who are in close contact with each other - for
example, within a household or among sexual partners.
Dr Prochazka says it's not clear why there is a higher proportion of
cases among gay men.
There is a theory that a return of demand for international travel
since Covid lockdowns were eased could have played a part in the
initial spread.
But the person-to-person transmission that has been happening in
countries outside western and Central Africa in recent weeks is new.
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.
Dr Prochazka says another possibility is that the proactive
engagement of gay men with sexual-health services may have led to
more cases being diagnosed.
Stigma fears
Gay and bisexual people were subject to stigma and homophobia
following the Aids crisis in the 1980s and 1990s.
Doctors and charities are keen to ensure this isn't repeated with
monkeypox and are concerned it could also prevent others from
realising they might have the virus.
HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust is raising
awareness alongside the UKHSA and NHS leaders to learn more about
monkeypox and how it's affecting people.
Alex Sparrowhawk, from the trust's health improvement team, says
they're worried people might mistakenly regard monkeypox as a so-
called gay disease and says everyone needs to be aware of the signs
and symptoms.
Jaime Garcia-Iglesias, a sociologist at the University of Edinburgh
who has studied how Aids and Covid-19 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.
Dating apps, such as Grindr, are also advising users about what to
look out for.
How do I protect myself?
Dr Prochazka says as case numbers are so small, experts aren't
advising people to change personal behaviour but to be "hyper-
vigilant."
He acknowledges the "delicate balance between achieving freedom of
choice and freedom of infection" and says it's important people are well-equipped to make their own decisions.
Condoms protect against sexually transmitted infections, but they do
not prevent monkeypox being transmitted.
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.
If you don't have any symptoms and you're due to attend a regular
sexual-health check-up, you're urged to go ahead as planned.
I think I've got monkeypox - what do I do?
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.
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.
Most infections clear up on their own without any treatment but if
you think you have monkeypox you're still urged to tell your doctor.
As it can take three weeks for symptoms to appear, it's likely the
number of diagnosed cases will grow.
And while the UKHSA acknowledges that the outbreak is "significant
and concerning", it says the risk to people in the UK remains low.
It's hoped the virus is rare enough that it can be contained.
Dr Prochazka says when a new threat enters a network of people "we
do our best to suppress it. I think we are still at that stage where
we can do that and really respond to this".
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61609888
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