More and more is known about monkeypox. Because the exponential increase in cases is allowing us to share a specific profile of those infected, the method of transmission and the symptoms with which this disease manifests.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), in which 528 infections have been analyzed, has concluded that 98% of cases are in homosexual or bisexual men whose age was around 38 years. In this same publication, it has been pointed out that the main form of contagion was sexual intercourse, occurring in 95% of the profiles analyzed.
Regarding the symptoms, it can be said that the criteria are quite disparate, although there are several coincident points.
Health authorities note that the signs of infection are more repetitive with fever, muscle aches and headaches, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes.
However, another study carried out by NEJM has indicated that the development of genital lesions and sores in the mouth or anus that have led to hospital admission to treat pain and swallowing difficulties is also common. Consequences very similar to those suffered by sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The most common symptom
Now, a Spanish investigation has shed new light on the method of transmission of this disease and that is very much in accordance with what was said by NEJM. Published in The Lancet, the work, carried out jointly by the 12 de Octubre University Hospital, the Germans Trias University Hospital and the Fight Against Infections Foundation and the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, suggests that skin-to-skin contact, which occurs especially during sexual intercourse, is the main route of contagion of the monkey virus, above the respiratory ones, since it had been previously considered.
78% of the patients who participated in the analysis had lesions in the anogenital region and 43% in the oral and perioral region.
In this way, it is logical that the symptoms of Monkeypox (MPX) manifest in areas that have been in contact with another subject pending sexual intercourse.
The latest report published by the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (Renave) highlights that patients with clinical information have presented anogenital rash (59,4%), fever (55,1%), rash in other locations (not anogenital or oral -oral) (51,8%) and lymphadenopathy (50,7%).
Cases in the world decrease
The number of monkeypox infections worldwide has decreased by 6% in the week of August 1-7 (4.899 cases) compared to the previous week (July 25-31), when 5.210 were reported cases, according to data published this Monday by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Most of the cases reported in the last 4 weeks come from Europe (55,9%) and America (42,6%). The 10 most affected countries worldwide United States (6.598), Spain (4.577), Germany (2.887), United Kingdom (2.759), France (2.239), Brazil (1.474), Netherlands (959), Canada (890) ), Portugal (710) and Italy (505). Together, these countries account for 88,9% of reported cases worldwide.
In the last 7 days, 23 countries have reported an increase in the weekly number of cases, with Spain being the country that has warned the most. As many as 16 countries have not reported any new cases in the past three weeks.
