An Italian man has tested positive for monkeypox, HIV and Covid after making a short trip to Spain in what is the only known case of the three conditions at once.
The unidentified 36-year-old spent five days in Spain and then started developing symptoms nine days later after returning to Italy. He suffered from a fever, sore throat, tiredness and a headache before he was diagnosed with the three diseases, according to scientists at the University of Catania.
Researchers reported the rare case in the Journal of Infection as they highlighted the continuing spread of Covid and monkeypox, the Mirror reported.
The man, who previously had Covid and two vaccine doses, tested positive again on July 2. Then on the same day, he noticed a rash developing on his arm and this spread to other parts of his body while he also started having vesicles.
As the blisters worsened and contained puss he went to the emergency department of the University Hospital in Catania - where he was then sent to the Infectious Diseases Unit.
He told staff at the hospital that he had "condomless intercourse with men during his stay in Spain." And tests showed that he also had HIV with scientists believing that the infection was "relatively recent".
In the journal it stated researchers as saying: "This case highlights how monkeypox and Covid symptoms may overlap, and corroborates how in case of co-infection, anamnestic collection and sexual habits are crucial to perform the correct diagnosis.
"Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 and monkeypox virus co-infection, particularly in subjects with a recent history of travel to monkeypox-outbreak areas."
The report continued: "Our case emphasises that sexual intercourse could be the predominant way of transmission. Therefore, complete STI screening is recommended after a diagnosis of monkeypox."
But since this is the only reported case of monkeypox, COVID, and HIV altogether, there isn't enough evidence to support that this "combination may aggravate patient's condition."
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