It is the first known case of co-infection: an Italian developed a fever, cold symptoms and rash after a stay in Spain. He went to the hospital, where he tested positive for three viruses at the same time.
A 36-year-old Italian was on holiday in Spain in June. Nine days after his return to Sicily, he complained of fever, sore throat and headache, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue. A short time later, he tested positive for Corona. That same day, a rash developed on his left arm and painful blisters soon appeared on his torso, abdomen and face. As the pustules continued to spread, he eventually went to the emergency room at the University Hospital in Catania.
Corona symptoms and results
The doctors transferred him to the infectious diseases department. At his admission, the man stated that he had been vaccinated twice against Corona, and had also had a Covid disease in January 2022. In September 2021, he had taken an HIV test with negative results. The 36-year-old also said he had unprotected sex with men in Spain. While the patient still suffered from typical corona symptoms, his body was covered with red blisters, including the right palm and anal area, the medics report. In addition, the liver, spleen and lymph nodes in the right groin were swollen.
The doctors had a high suspicion of monkey pox and had the man tested for the virus disease. Tests were also conducted for Covid and sexually transmitted diseases. A day later they had it in black and white: the test results for HIV, Sars-CoV-2 and monkey pox were all positive. It is the first known case of such a co-infection. Researchers from the University of Catania described it in the Journal of Infection.
After three days in the hospital, the pustules, caused by the monkeypox virus, started to scab. The doctors treated the 36-year-old with the drug Sotrovimab against Corona. On the fifth day after his admission, the other symptoms also improved and the Italian was released into domestic isolation. Against HIV, doctors started antiretroviral therapy to suppress the virus’s multiplication in the body.
According to the researchers, the case shows that the symptoms of monkey pox and Covid-19 are partly similar. Both viruses are now circulating worldwide, and doctors should take into account that co-infection is possible when making a diagnosis, the researchers write. If monkeypox is confirmed, patients should be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. In recent months it has become clear that monkeypox is very often spread through sexual contact between men.
Monkeypox outbreak slows
The World Health Organization (WHO) now has more than 41,000 monkeypox infections in 96 countries. Most cases were reported from the United States, the WHO said Thursday. Twelve people died in connection with the virus. However, the global incidence fell by about a fifth in the week ending August 21, after a month-long upward trend. “There are signs that the outbreak is slowing in Europe,” said WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The reason is the effectiveness of public health measures, behavioral changes and vaccinations.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
