Contamination by monkeypox has spread around the world and brought about a problem already noted historically, when the first cases of HIV infection appeared. Called in the 1980s several pejorative names related to homosexuality, AIDS carried this stigma for years.
On the last first day, an editorial was published in Brazilian Journal of Nursing He cautions against repeating this risk, as the discriminatory view of a patient with monkeypox can harm treatment, delay diagnosis and even the search for health care.
“The fact that sexual orientation is linked to the monkeypox virus makes no sense, since there are communication options that can be equally effective, such as, for example, focusing on the practice of sexual relations between infected individuals, without gender classification or practices. In specific practices, assuming A globalized position on sanitary measures and epidemiological control”, says the text.
The United Nations Agency on AIDS itself has expressed concern that the media has reinforced racist and homophobic stereotypes in disseminating information about monkeypox.
illness
Monkeypox, as it is known internationally, is not a sexually transmitted infection, although it can be spread through intimate contact during sexual intercourse, when there is an active rash.
The infection is transmitted from the wounds, body fluids and droplets of the patient. This can happen through close contact for a long time without respiratory protection, contact with contaminated objects or skin contact.
That’s what happened to English teacher Peter Branch, 48. He and his partner live in São Paulo and have fallen ill. The Briton, who has lived in Brazil for more than 9 years, complains of prejudice surrounding the disease.
We got infected by going to a heterosexual bar. I think the most dangerous thing is that heterosexual men and women do not pay attention to the symptoms and thus infect others as well. “What bothers me is that people think this only exists in society gay“, he added.
He says he had a fever, headache and fatigue, and that wounds appeared later. He received care at the Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas. “The spots hurt a little, the annoying thing is the isolation, not being able to play with my dog.” Peter is already feeling well and is following the recovery of his companion.
