How Monkeypox affects your sex life
The World Health Organisation has released caution when it comes to having sex with someone who is suffering from monkeypox. Here is what you need to know.
The number of people being infected by monkeypox keeps rising.
"More than 1,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox have now been reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from 29 countries that are not endemic for the disease," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference.
The disease was reported in Europe, Britain and nine African countries.
READ: Monkeypox outbreak tops 1,000 cases, WHO warns of 'real' risk
Officials have warned against having sex with someone who is suffering from monkeypox.
"Monkeypox can spread during close skin-to-skin contact during sex, including kissing, touching, oral and penetrative sex with someone who has symptoms," states WHO.
"Avoid having close contact with anyone who has symptoms".
Some monkeypox symptoms include:
- Rash with blisters on face, hands, feet, eyes, mouth and/or genitals
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Low energy
READ: Monkeypox: a rare disease with low fatality rates
To protect yourself and others, WHO gives the following guide:
- Isolate at home and talk to a health worker if you have symptoms.
- Avoid skin-to-skin or face-to-face contact, including sexual contact with anyone who has symptoms.
- Clean hands, objects, and surfaces that have been touched regularly.
- Wear a mask if you are in close contact with someone with symptoms.
READ: KZN on high alert for monkeypox - Simelane
Image courtesy of iStock/ @Berkay Ataseven