Despite some mpox cases testing positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante clarified on Sunday that there is no direct connection between the two viruses.
Dr. Solante explained that while HIV and mpox are unrelated, individuals engaging in certain sexual behaviors are at a higher risk of contracting mpox due to the virus being transmitted through close, intimate, skin-to-skin contact.
“Mpox has no connection with HIV,” Solante stated. “HIV is a different type of virus, one that progressively destroys the immune system over time.”
He noted that sexually active individuals are considered high-risk due to their behaviors, which often involve intimate exposure that facilitates the transmission of mpox.
The Department of Health (DOH) also reiterated that mpox can be transmitted not only through non-sexual skin-to-skin contact but also through sexual encounters with infected individuals.
Dr. Solante further highlighted that during the 2022 mpox outbreak, a significant percentage of those infected—between 60 to 80%—were HIV-positive. This was observed in both the Philippines and other countries where mpox is not endemic, largely due to the virus spreading through close, intimate sexual contact.
Dr. Benjamin Co, another infectious disease expert, previously advised the public to avoid engaging in “reckless” sexual behaviors, as mpox is often transmitted sexually.
The DOH emphasized that anyone can contract mpox through close and intimate contact with an infected person, through contaminated materials such as used clothes or utensils, or through contact with infected animals.
As of Sunday, the DOH reported three new active mpox cases in the Philippines, bringing the total number of active cases to eight. The cumulative mpox cases in the country have reached 17 since July 2022. Notably, Cases 15 and 16 involved anonymous sexual encounters with multiple partners, while Case 17 had close, skin-to-skin sexual contact with another person exhibiting skin symptoms.