Could it be Mpox?

In 2024, there were nearly 1400 cases of mpox in Australia, mostly among gay and bi+ men. While mpox transmits through close physical contact like sex or kissing, the reality is that it can affect anyone.

For Keiran, a staff member at Thorne Harbour Health, mpox was one of the worst viruses he’d ever caught.

Because of his work in sexual health, Keiran was already familiar with mpox and got a small lesion on his back checked as soon as he noticed it. But a lot of gay and bi+ men aren’t familiar with mpox symptoms and don’t know what to look for. Symptoms show up differently for everyone, and some people have reported additional issues like:

• Inflammation or pain in the rectum, making it difficult or agonizing to use the toilet
• Stomach cramps
• Body aches
• Pharyngitis (sore throat)
• An increased or constant need to go to the toilet.

“My symptoms were very mild at first—I had a runny nose and a sore throat,” Keiran shared. “But this developed into some lesions in my ass, making it agony to go to the toilet. This lasted for three days and was one of the most painful things I’ve ever endured.”

Mpox symptoms can resemble other STIs, like herpes, which means GPs don’t always know to check for it. That’s why it’s important to tell your doctor about your symptoms and your sexuality (if you feel comfortable doing so) and ask them to test for mpox.

“When I was diagnosed, I was a little taken aback. I’d had most STIs, so I was familiar with treatments for them, but this was a new thing."

If you think you might have mpox, get tested immediately. In some instances, you may need to self-isolate. The team at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre called Keiran every day after his diagnosis, checking up on him and letting him know when it was okay to come out of isolation.

The good news is that while mpox can be painful, most people have a mild, self-limiting illness that clears up within a few weeks without specific treatment. However, there are some therapies available, particularly for people who are at high risk.

The best way to avoid mpox is through vaccination. Two doses of the vaccine, at least 28 days apart, make you less likely to catch mpox, and if you do, your symptoms are usually less severe.

A prepared and protected gay and bi+ community means we can limit the spread of mpox and keep ourselves and each other safe.

Head to thorneharbour.org/mpox to learn more about the virus, including where to find a free vaccine.