Is Monkeypox called an STD? How does it spread?

Updated on August 16, 2022 23:18 PM by Dhinesh

Monkeypox has been known to affect people for most of six decades and is not known as a disease that spreads through sex. As per the current outbreak, all evidence indicates that the disease has spread through networks of men who have sex with men. It also spreads in nonsexual ways. The WHO advised men with Monkeypox to consider reducing their sexual contact for the moment.

There is another infection like syphilis that spreads through other ways than sexual transmission. Zika-virus is a mosquito-borne illness, but it can also spread sexually. People think herpes, gonorrhea, or Chlamydia are spread only through sex, but it's misinformation that it also spreads via intimate contact.

Sexually Transmitted Disease!

STD is an infection that causes from one person to another through sexual contact such as vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Human-to-human contact occurs using saliva, respiratory droplets, or direct contact with the pus or crust of lesions. These infections can also spread through skin-to-skin intimate contact, as with herpes and HPV. Nigeria was one of the first recent reports to describe the possible sexual transmission of Monkeypox.

Kristen Nordlund, a spokesperson for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said pathogens could be transmitted through sex. It's called sexually transmissible. Monkeypox can be described more accurately as sexually transmissible as sex is one of the ways that the virus can spread but not in the only way.

Spread of Monkeypox virus!

The Monkeypox virus can spread during skin-to-skin contact, direct contact with a Monkeypox rash, or respiratory secretions. The risk is low as they can spread through surfaces like clothing and bleeding used by someone with Monkeypox. Scientists are researching whether Monkeypox can be spread through semen or vaginal fluids.

Also Read: Safer Sex, Social Gatherings, and Monkeypox

Combating stigma!

Monkeypox is called a sexually transmitted infection that will increase stigma and ignores other means of transmission. This virus can spread if you are in close contact and sexual contact with a gay. The transmission also spreads through skin-to-skin contact between parents and children but environmental contamination resulting in the transmission is also possible.

The National Coalition of STD Directors, Harvey, said the stigma is STD clinics as he worries about the Monkeypox outbreak being stigmatized in the context of being a sexually associated disease. People don't want to dismiss this as a sexually transmitted disease, but at some level, this buys the stigma of sexually transmitted infections.

The overall survey among clinics!

More than 80 clinics were under survey by the National Coalition of STD Directors between 26^th and 29^th July found that 63% have received referrals from other health care providers for suspected Monkeypox cases, 52% have severed people turned away from other providers, and 40% had incurred unanticipated expenses for supplies due to Monkeypox response.

To manage Monkeypox, 65% of clinics had to modify workflows, such as changing from walk-in clinics to appointment-only, and 22% had to reduce either symptomatic or asymptomatic screening for other STI prioritize to Monkeypox services. Harvey mentioned a lack of additional funding; federal funding can directly support these programs where it can support supplies, testing, and pay for testing.