Monkeypox can be spread by direct skin-to-skin contact; high-risk activities you should avoid

Is monkeypox a sexually transmitted disease? This question is currently on the minds of many people.

While experts have not reported conclusively on the same, a recent study by The Lancet found that monkeypox virus can persist in semen for weeks after recovery.

Francesca Colavita, a researcher from the Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases ‘Lazzaro Spallanzani’ (IRCCS), Italy, said: The findings support that prolonged shedding of smallpox virus DNA monkeys can occur in the semen of infected patients for weeks after the onset of symptoms. “

The patient was diagnosed at Italy’s Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute of Infectious Diseases and had a history of travel to Austria during the first two weeks of May. The man identified himself as a homosexual and homosexual. He also self-reported having unprotected sex with several male partners during his travels.

“The case discussed here supports that the transmission of monkeypox virus during sexual activity may be a viable and recognized route, especially during outbreaks,” said Colavita. 2022 now,” Colavita said, adding that “prolonged shedding of viral DNA, even at low viral copies, may suggest a possible genital reservoir.” .

However, “because the patient is HIV-infected with a viral immune response, we cannot completely rule out the possibility that an effect of HIV-associated chronic immunoregulatory dysregulation on the varicella virus may be present.” Monkey season lasts in semen,” she added.

Health authorities still insist that the virus is not a sexually transmitted disease and that anyone can get it through close contact.