Monkeypox: How sexual behaviour can affect chances of infection? Here's what experts say
The reasoning behind it is because monkeypox can transmit by any type of prolonged and substantial sexual contact with a person who has the infection.
The role of sexual behaviour has become a major point of debate since the World Health Organization declared the global monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, and the chief of the UN health body advising the MSM -- men having sex with men -- community to reduce the number of sexual partners.The reasoning behind this is because the virus can transmit by any type of prolonged and substantial physical contact with a person who has the infection.
READ | Is back pain bothering you? Here’s how you can resolve the sufferingDr Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-Chairman, national Covid-19 task force, IMA, told IANS that because sex involves deep and prolonged physical contact between two people, it provides an easier way for the virus to spread.He however, said that high risk is associated specifically with those having multiple partners, because they can not only pick up the infection more easily, but also transmit the virus to more people."If an infected person has sex only with his wife, there is almost no chance to spread among others. The infection could be transmitted to the wife but it will not go to another person. But, if someone has multiple partners, it may transmit to others creating a chain of transmission," he said.Putting a full stop on the misconception about the MSM community, he said that no one should be stigmatised about their sexual orientation."Four groups -- gay, bisexual, transgender and commercial sex workers -- are at high risk for transmission of monkeypox, but this risk involves only those with multiple partners through sexual networks. Over 95 per cent of the initial cases were from the MSM sub-group. The government’s timely interventions have made them aware and there is no need for panic," Jayadevan told IANS.