Top 5 Takeaways
- High Prevalence of HIV and STIs: Among 1,969 monkeypox cases in eight U.S. jurisdictions, 38% had HIV, and 41% had a diagnosed STI in the past year.
- Hospitalization Rates Higher for HIV-Positive Individuals: Persons with monkeypox and HIV infection had a higher hospitalization rate (8%) compared to those without HIV (3%).
- Effective HIV Care Among Monkeypox Patients: Of the monkeypox patients with HIV, 94% received HIV care and 82% had viral suppression in the last year.
- Variation in HIV Prevalence by Demographics: HIV prevalence among monkeypox patients varied by age and race, with higher rates in older age groups and non-Hispanic Black persons.
- Linkage to HIV and STI Care Recommended: Emphasis on leveraging HIV and STI care systems for monkeypox screening and vaccination, particularly in MSM populations.
Note:
This MMWR Article was created prior to the conventional renaming of Monkeypox to its more standard and appropriate name, Mpox. To avoid confusion, Monkeypox is retained when writing this article, but all future works should use Mpox.
Original Article Author and Citation
Corresponding Author
Kathryn G. Curran, ydh9@cdc.gov.
Suggested Citation
Curran KG, Eberly K, Russell OO, et al. HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Persons with Monkeypox — Eight U.S. Jurisdictions, May 17–July 22, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1141–1147. DOI.
Summary
This report highlights the significant overlap between HIV, STIs, and monkeypox in the studied populations. A notable percentage of persons with monkeypox also had HIV or STIs, which underscores the need for integrated public health approaches in managing these overlapping health concerns.
Methods
The analysis involved matching monkeypox, HIV, and STI surveillance data from eight U.S. jurisdictions. It focused on identifying HIV and STI diagnoses among persons with monkeypox and assessing differences in clinical features based on HIV status.
Discussion
The findings suggest a need for tailored public health strategies, including prioritizing monkeypox vaccination for individuals with HIV or STIs, and ensuring comprehensive care that includes monkeypox screening and preventive services for these populations.
Conclusion
The study concludes that there is a high prevalence of HIV and STIs among persons with monkeypox. Effective public health responses should integrate services for HIV, STIs, and monkeypox, especially targeting MSM and other high-risk groups.
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