Sexual Transmission of Monkeypox Virus

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease which mimics smallpox very closely in morphology with presence of deep seated umbilicated vesicles, pustules and erosions going through various stages of evolution. However, sexual transmission has now been recognized as another mode of transmission. In almost all cases where sexual transmission was suspected, it was observed that the typical umbilicated vesicles and pustules were limited around the mouth, pubic and perianal area with mucosal erosions and crusted lesions around these sites (areas of skin to skin sexual contact). Viremia is seen to be more severe in receptive anal intercourse due to greater trauma to the mucosa, with a greater clustering of cases in homosexual and bisexual males. It was observed that people living with HIV had a greater prevalence of monkeypox and the cutaneous lesions tended to be more severe. The best way to prevent transmission is abstinence from any kind of intercourse until the lesions and fever subside.