Mpox is a rare viral disease that can cause severe illness in humans. It is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox. Mpox was first discovered during the ’50s when outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in monkeys kept for research.
The symptoms of mpox are similar to those of smallpox and include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. A rash then develops, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other areas of the body. The rash progresses to pustules that crust and fall off, leaving scars.
You should be extra careful if you suffer from advanced HIV
Researchers have discovered that the mpox virus can cause severe illness and even death in people with advanced, uncontrolled HIV infection, according to US News. They recommend that all those diagnosed with mpox be tested for HIV, and that this strain of the virus be added to the list of dangerous infections for people with advanced HIV disease by the WHO (World Health Organization) and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
The focus of this research was on 382 individuals who had both mpox and advanced HIV disease. Among these patients, 27 out of the 60 who died during the outbreak were included in the study.
Matthew Hodson, the executive director of NAM aidsmap, stated, as the same publication mentioned above quotes:
Although mpox is rarely severe for those of us whose HIV is controlled with treatment, the rates of serious illness and mortality as a result of mpox for people with untreated or unsuppressed HIV are worrying,
This again highlights the urgency of ensuring people with HIV are diagnosed and have secure access to treatment. Routine HIV testing for all people diagnosed with mpox has the potential to reduce mpox-related deaths and advanced HIV disease.
The study was published in The Lancet.
