According to a CDC study, HIV-positive patients with monkeypox are hospitalized more than twice as often as other patients.
38% of nearly 2,000 monkeypox patients diagnosed between May and July were HIV-positive, the CDC reported Thursday. 8% of HIV-positive monkeypox patients were hospitalized, compared to 3% of those without HIV.
HIV-positive people with low T-cell counts and an unsuppressed virus are hospitalized more often with monkeypox, according to the CDC.
The CDC does not know if HIV-positive people hospitalized with monkeypox have a more severe illness. HIV-positive Nigerians who contracted monkeypox had poor outcomes.
Monkeypox spreads primarily during sex among gay and bisexual men, but anyone can catch it through close contact with an infected person or contaminated materials like towels and bedsheets.
According to the CDC, men who have sex with men get HIV more often. 38% of monkeypox patients have HIV, far higher than the rate among gay and bisexual men, the study found. The percentage of monkeypox patients with HIV has also increased, suggesting the disease may be spreading in HIV networks.
CDC found racial disparities in HIV and monkeypox. Black and Hispanic patients had monkeypox and HIV at higher rates than white patients (28%). Black and Hispanic populations are disproportionately affected. 38% of monkeypox patients are black, 29% are Hispanic, and 27% are white. According to the 2020 Census, 12% of Americans are Black, 19% Hispanic, and 61% White.
HIV patients with monkeypox report rectal pain and proctitis more often. Monkeypox causes a rash that resembles pimples or blisters on the anus or genitals.
The study’s authors said HIV-positive and STI-positive people should prioritize monkeypox vaccination. Authors recommend HIV and STI testing for monkeypox patients. CDC study: 41% of monkeypox patients had STIs in the past year. Health care providers should also offer PrEP, which lowers HIV risk through sex.
CDC estimates that 1.6 million gay and bisexual men who are HIV-positive or taking HIV-prevention medication are most at risk from monkeypox. 460,000 monkeypox vaccine doses have been given. HHS officials say there are nearly enough doses to vaccinate the highest-risk population.
More than 21,000 cases have been reported in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, according to the CDC. The outbreak appears to be slowing as vaccinations increase, but the racial disparity in monkeypox cases is growing. – CNBC
