Experts have advised people to consider having sex with their clothes on and masturbate at least six feet away from each other in new monkeypox guidance.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in America has issued a list of a safe sex practices for people with suspected monkeypox.
As part of the guidance, they firstly ask people to speak to their partner about any unusual rashes of sore that may have flared up in the past few days.
They have also encouraged people with suspected monkeypox to not have sex ‘of any kind’ when there are sores present.
However partners wishing to engage in sexual activity have been urged to consider having virtual sex with no in-person contact.
Experts also suggest washing hands regularly, cleaning fetish gear, sanitising sex toys, limiting the number of partners to avoid opportunities for monkeypox to spread and avoiding kissing.
World health chiefs are working to discover whether not they believe monkeypox to be sexually transmitted.
The disease, which was first discovered in humans in 1970, is said to be spread through close contact with someone infected with the condition.
Monkeypox has been endemic in a number of western and central African countries for a number of year.
However, it has been found to be in circulation in a growing number of non-endemic countries in recent months – including here in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has so far confirmed a total of 574 cases of the disease in the UK – 17 of which have been found in Scotland.
Most cases have been in gay and bisexual men and is primarily associated with recent European travel.
Symptoms of monkeypox include a high temperature, headache, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, swollen glands and a blistering rash.
Health officials are urging people to be aware of the symptoms ahead of summer events and festivals.
Dr William Welfare, Incident Director at UKHSA, said: “As case numbers of monkeypox continue to rise and with many summer events and festivals ahead, we’re reminding people to be aware of the symptoms of monkeypox, particularly if you’ve recently had new or multiple sexual partners, to help prevent further spread and protect others.
“If you have a rash with blisters, or any other monkeypox symptoms, don’t go to events, meet with friends or have sexual contact. Instead, stay at home and contact 111 or your local sexual health service for advice.
“Please contact the clinic ahead of your visit and avoid close contact with others until you’ve been seen by a clinician.
“UKHSA is working closely with partners across the country, including event organisers and venues, to raise public awareness of monkeypox symptoms so everyone has a safe, happy and healthy summer.”
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