QX Apkoppor: What You Need to Know About the New Virus Spreading Among MSM
If you are a man who has sex with men (MSM), you may have heard about a new virus called apkoppor that is causing concern in Europe and North America. But what is apkoppor, how does it spread, and how can you protect yourself from it? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, based on the latest information from reliable sources.
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Introduction
What is apkoppor and why is it called that?
Apkoppor is the Swedish name for a viral infection that is also known as monkeypox or MPOX. The name apkoppor comes from the Swedish word for monkey, "apa", and the word for pox, "koppor". The name monkeypox was given to the virus when it was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys in Africa. However, some people have criticized the name as stigmatizing and racist, as it implies a link between Africa and monkeys. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently announced that the official name for the virus and the disease will be MPOX.
How does it spread and what are the symptoms?
MPOX is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The main animal reservoirs for MPOX are rodents, such as squirrels and rats. Humans can get infected by direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids, or by eating their meat. However, human-to-human transmission is also possible through respiratory droplets, skin contact, or sexual contact. MPOX can also be transmitted through blood transfusions or organ transplants from infected donors.
The symptoms of MPOX usually appear within two weeks after exposure to the virus. They include fever, headache, muscle ache, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that develops into fluid-filled blisters. The rash typically starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body. The blisters can be very painful and may leave scars after they heal. In some cases, MPOX can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, or sepsis. The mortality rate of MPOX is estimated to be between 1% and 10%, depending on the strain of the virus and the quality of health care.
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How common is it and where has it been reported?
MPOX is endemic in some parts of Central and West Africa, where sporadic outbreaks have occurred since the 1970s. However, in recent years, MPOX has emerged in other regions of the world as well. In 2003, an outbreak of MPOX occurred in the United States among people who had contact with pet prairie dogs that were infected by imported African rodents. In 2018, three cases of MPOX were reported in the United Kingdom among people who had traveled to Nigeria. In 2020 - In 2020, a large outbreak of MPOX occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo, affecting more than 4,000 people and killing over 200. In 2021, the first case of MPOX in Europe was reported in Sweden, among a man who had sex with another man who had traveled to Nigeria. Since then, several other cases of MPOX have been confirmed among MSM in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has issued a warning that MPOX poses a serious threat to the health of MSM in Europe and beyond.
Prevention and Treatment
How can you protect yourself from apkoppor?
The best way to prevent MPOX is to avoid contact with infected animals or people. If you live in or travel to areas where MPOX is endemic or where outbreaks are occurring, you should follow these precautions:
Avoid contact with wild or domestic rodents or their droppings.
Do not eat bushmeat or handle raw meat from animals that may be infected.
Wear gloves and protective clothing when handling sick or dead animals.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid close contact with people who have MPOX symptoms or who have been exposed to the virus.
If you have MPOX symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible and isolate yourself from others.
If you are a MSM, you should also take these additional steps to reduce your risk of MPOX:
Use condoms and lubricants consistently and correctly during sex.
Avoid sharing sex toys, needles, or other items that may come into contact with blood or body fluids.
Get tested regularly for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and treat them if needed.
Inform your sexual partners if you have MPOX symptoms or if you have been exposed to the virus.
Limit your number of sexual partners and avoid casual sex with strangers.
Is there a vaccine or a cure for apkoppor?
There is no specific vaccine or cure for MPOX. However, there are some treatments that can help reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms and prevent complications. These include:
Antiviral drugs, such as cidofovir or brincidofovir, which can inhibit the replication of the virus. These drugs are not widely available and may have serious side effects. They are usually reserved for severe cases or high-risk groups.
Antibiotics, which can prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections that may occur due to the skin lesions or other complications of MPOX.
Painkillers, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatory drugs, which can relieve pain, itching, and inflammation caused by the rash and blisters.
Fluids and electrolytes, which can prevent dehydration and restore the balance of minerals in the body.
Ointments and dressings, which can protect the skin from infection and promote healing.
The smallpox vaccine, which is no longer routinely used in most countries, may also provide some protection against MPOX. However, the vaccine is not recommended for everyone, as it may cause serious adverse reactions in some people. The vaccine is only given to people who are at high risk of exposure to MPOX, such as health care workers, laboratory staff, military personnel, or travelers to endemic areas.
What should you do if you think you have apkoppor?
If you think you have MPOX or if you have been exposed to someone who has it, you should do the following:
Contact your health care provider as soon as possible and inform them about your symptoms and exposure history. They will advise you on what to do next and where to get tested and treated.
Stay at home and isolate yourself from others until you are cleared by your health care provider. This will help prevent the spread of the virus to others.
Cover your mouth and nose with a mask or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the used mask or tissue in a sealed plastic bag.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Clean and disinfect any surfaces or objects that may be contaminated with the virus. Use - Use bleach or alcohol-based solutions to disinfect the surfaces or objects. Wear gloves and protective clothing when cleaning and disinfecting.
Wash your clothes, bedding, and towels with hot water and detergent. Dry them thoroughly in a dryer or in the sun.
Monitor your symptoms and follow the instructions of your health care provider. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, or seizures.
Impact and Challenges
How does apkoppor affect the health and well-being of MSM?
MPOX can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of MSM. Besides the physical effects of the disease, such as pain, scarring, and complications, MPOX can also cause emotional distress, stigma, and discrimination. Some of the challenges that MSM may face due to MPOX are:
Fear of infection or transmission. MSM may be afraid of getting infected with MPOX or passing it on to their partners. This may affect their sexual behavior, their self-esteem, and their mental health.
Lack of information and awareness. MSM may not have enough information or awareness about MPOX, its causes, its symptoms, its prevention, and its treatment. This may lead to misconceptions, myths, or rumors about the disease.
Lack of access to health care and support services. MSM may face barriers to accessing health care and support services for MPOX, such as cost, availability, quality, confidentiality, or discrimination. They may also face stigma and prejudice from health care providers, family members, friends, or society at large.
Lack of social support and solidarity. MSM may feel isolated, lonely, or rejected due to MPOX. They may lose their social networks, their relationships, or their sense of belonging. They may also face violence or harassment from others who are ignorant or intolerant of MPOX.
What are the social and psychological implications of apkoppor?
MPOX can have serious social and psychological implications for MSM and for society as a whole. Some of the implications are:
Increased vulnerability to HIV and other STIs. MSM who have MPOX may be more susceptible to HIV and other STIs due to the damage to their skin and mucous membranes caused by the rash and blisters. They may also be less likely to use condoms or seek testing and treatment for HIV and other STIs due to fear or stigma.
Reduced trust and intimacy in relationships. MSM who have MPOX may experience difficulties in maintaining trust and intimacy in their relationships. They may feel guilty, ashamed, or angry about having MPOX. They may also face rejection, blame, or suspicion from their partners.
Increased mental health problems. MSM who have MPOX may suffer from mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or suicidal thoughts. They may also experience low self-esteem, low self-confidence, or low self-worth due to the physical and emotional impact of MPOX.
Reduced social cohesion and solidarity. MPOX may create divisions and conflicts within the MSM community and between the MSM community and the general population. It may also fuel homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, racism, or other forms of discrimination and violence against MSM.
How are authorities and organizations responding to apkoppor?
Authorities and organizations are taking various measures to respond to MPOX and to support MSM who are affected by it. Some of the measures are:
Surveillance and reporting. Authorities are monitoring and reporting the cases of MPOX in their countries and regions. They are also sharing information and data with other authorities and organizations at national - and international levels. They are also conducting investigations and contact tracing to identify and isolate the sources and the contacts of MPOX.
Prevention and control. Authorities are implementing prevention and control measures to reduce the transmission and the impact of MPOX. These include providing information and education to the public, especially to MSM, about MPOX and how to prevent it; distributing condoms, lubricants, and other prevention materials to MSM; enforcing quarantine and isolation measures for MPOX cases and contacts; and ensuring the availability and quality of blood and organ screening and donation.
Treatment and care. Authorities are providing treatment and care services to MPOX cases and contacts. These include ensuring the access and affordability of antiviral drugs, antibiotics, and other medications for MPOX; providing supportive care such as fluids, electrolytes, painkillers, and ointments for MPOX; offering counseling and psychological support for MPOX; and referring MPOX cases and contacts to other health services such as HIV and STI testing and treatment.
Research and development. Authorities are supporting research and development activities to improve the understanding and the management of MPOX. These include conducting epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and social studies on MPOX; developing new diagnostic tools, vaccines, and treatments for MPOX; and evaluating the effectiveness and the safety of existing interventions for MPOX.
Advocacy and partnership. Authorities are collaborating with other authorities and organizations to coordinate and harmonize their responses to MPOX. They are also engaging with civil society, media, academia, private sector, and other stakeholders to raise awareness, mobilize resources, promote dialogue, and address the challenges of MPOX. They are also advocating for the rights, needs, and interests of MSM who are affected by MPOX.
Conclusion
MPOX is a serious viral infection that can affect anyone, but especially MSM who are at higher risk of exposure. MPOX can cause severe symptoms, complications, and even death. It can also have negative social and psychological consequences for MSM who have it or who fear it. Therefore, it is important to be informed, prepared, and proactive about MPOX.
Here are some tips and advice for MSM who want to protect themselves from MPOX:
Be aware of the signs and symptoms of MPOX and seek medical attention if you have them or if you have been exposed to someone who has them.
Practice safe sex by using condoms and lubricants consistently and correctly during sex.
Get tested regularly for HIV and other STIs and treat them if needed.
Avoid contact with infected animals or people or their bodily fluids.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Eat well, exercise regularly, sleep enough, and manage your stress levels to boost your immune system.
Seek support from your friends, family, partners, or professionals if you need it.
MPOX is not a death sentence or a reason to panic. It is a challenge that can be overcome with knowledge, action, and solidarity. If you want to learn more about MPOX or if you need help or support, you can visit these websites or call these hotlines:
WebsiteHotline
[World Health Organization]+41 22 791 2111
[European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control]+46 8 58 60 10 00
[MSM Global Forum]+1 510 271 1950
[International AIDS Society]+41 22 710 0800
[UNAIDS]+41 22 791 3666
FAQs
What is the difference between MPOX and smallpox?
MPOX and smallpox are both viral infections that cause a similar rash and blisters on the skin. However, they are caused by different viruses and have different characteristics. MPOX is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus, while smallpox is caused by the variola virus, which belongs to the same genus but is a different species. MPOX is less contagious and less deadly than smallpox. MPOX can be transmitted from animals to humans and from humans to humans, while smallpox can only be transmitted from humans to humans. MPOX has no specific vaccine or cure, while smallpox has a vaccine that can prevent or treat the disease. Smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980 by the WHO, while MPOX is still endemic in some parts of Africa and has emerged in other regions of the world.
Can I get MPOX from a monkey?
Yes, you can get MPOX from a monkey if you have direct contact with an infected monkey or its bodily fluids, or if you eat its meat. However, this is very rare and unlikely, as most monkeys are not infected with MPOX and most people do not have contact with monkeys. The main animal reservoirs for MPOX are rodents, such as squirrels and rats. You are more likely to get MPOX from a rodent than from a monkey.
Can I get MPOX from oral sex?
Yes, you can get MPOX from oral sex if you have contact with the saliva, blood, or blisters of an infected person. Oral sex can also transmit other STIs, such as HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes. Therefore, it is important to use condoms or dental dams during oral sex to protect yourself and your partner from MPOX and other STIs.
How long does MPOX last?
The duration of MPOX varies depending on the severity of the infection and the immune system of the person. In general, MPOX lasts for about four weeks from the onset of symptoms to the healing of the blisters. The fever and rash usually appear within two weeks after exposure to the virus and last for about one week. The blisters then form and crust over for about two to three weeks before they fall off. The scars may take longer to fade or may remain permanently.
Can I get MPOX more than once?
It is possible to get MPOX more than once, but it is very rare and unlikely. Most people who recover from MPOX develop immunity to the virus and do not get infected again. However, there are different strains of the virus that may cause different reactions in different people. Therefore, it is not guaranteed that you will be immune to MPOX if you have had it before. You should still take precautions to prevent MPOX and other infections. 44f88ac181