- Monkeypox has already been classified by the WHO as an international public health emergency.
- Although the first human case was reported in 1970, a massive outbreak like the one we are experiencing now had never occurred.
- So far, more than 16,000 infections have been reported in 75 countries.
Over the last few days there is a disease that has become the most talked about in the world. It’s about monkeypox and like any other disease, no one is safe and that includes influencers. But now the important thing is to know how some who have been infected have used social networks to share their anecdotes.
The new communication space preferred by young people
It is at this point that the phenomenon in which it has been shared must be analyzed. TikTok. To date it is sixth social network with the most followers but the one that has had the greatest growth in less time.
In a little less than five years, it has managed to accumulate one billion registered users and the number continues to rise. In fact, During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was the space most used by young people and adolescents as a means of communication.
The possibility of creating and editing short videos has been used in different ways. To date, the best known is the one with striking choreographies that manages to gather thousands of views in minutes, although it is not the only one.
As an example we can mention the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Mexican Social Security Institutel (IMSS) who have opened their own official accounts. In both cases, they are used to transmit information in a friendly and understandable way for the general population.
Testimonials from patients with monkeypox
On the other hand, TikTok has also become a forum where people can share their experiences. Some prefer to do it in a serious way and others through humor. All this leads to various influencers who have been infected with monkeypox and through this social network describe the symptoms and evolution they have had.
One of the best known cases is that of adult film actor Matt Ford, also known as Silver Steele. Through a couple of videos he shared your mood and the marks on your skin caused by the disease. The highlight is that he points out that it is not only about the aesthetic aspect but that the skin rashes have caused him severe pain that he has had to take painkillers.
@jmatthiasford sry the sound was too appropriate #monkeypox #monkeypoxvirus #monkeypoxoutbreak #monkeypoxvaccine #CDC #QUIEN #greenscreen #fyp #fypシ
♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
Also included in this list is Harun Tulunay, who is a health worker from the UK. In his case, the contagion occurred while treating patients because he is one of the European nations most affected by the current outbreak.
For his part, his story is one of the most heartbreaking and he has even been interviewed for other media. Based on his testimony, his condition was so serious that he had to be hospitalized. After two weeks of treatment he managed to recover and be discharged, although with one detail.
@nbcnews “The pain is incredible… It feels like you are just tearing your flesh apart from your body,” Harun Tulunay, who was hospitalized with monkeypox, says while describing the symptoms of the virus he has experienced.
As can be seen in the images, the monkeypox caused deep scars on his face, especially in the nose area. One of his main fears is that these marks will not go away, which has already impacted his emotional health.
For now, the Testimonials from influencers and the general population about monkeypox should serve to reinforce prevention and hygiene measures. So far, the outbreak has caused more than 16,000 infections in 75 countries and the number is higher every day.