Why is monkeypox more common for gay men

However, before last year, most people in Europe and North America had never even heard of the disease. That was until the current outbreak among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Read more: Metaphors matter: Why changing the name 'monkeypox' may help curb the discriminatory language used to discuss it.

Monkeypox is being driven overwhelmingly by sex between men, major study finds

The new paper addressed the still open question of whether monkeypox might transmit through semen. Previous research has reached a similar conclusion. Scientists note these findings do not confirm that semen transmits the virus. More research is needed, they say. Some health authorities, including in the United Kingdom, have advised men who have recovered from monkeypox to wear a condom during sex for eight weeks as a precaution, should the virus remain in semen.

Monkeypox and gay men: Separating stigma from health advice

We know that the virus can persist on surfaces for a long time — sometimes up to several weeks. All this may explain why the virus is primarily spreading through networks of men who have sex with men. This means that it can spread in households through any close personal contact with an infected person — not just as a result of sexual intimacy.

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.