Monkeypox virus outbreak

Peter Kelly is among more than 200 Canadians and counting who've caught monkeypox. He spent weeks isolating at home to keep others' safe, putting strain on ...

For me, I clearly contracted it via sex — and that's not always the trajectory for a lot of people, but that's how it happened for me," he said. So is the fact that an overwhelming majority of cases are among one particular group. "I can't imagine people who are isolating for over 21 days in a room." Still, he said it was easier than having to separate from roommates or family members in the same house. At times, the infection can turn deadly, largely among high-risk groups like young children or people who are pregnant. "The physical aspect of what I went through was pretty bad, for certain moments. "Financially, I've lost all my work," said the self-employed dancer and personal trainer, whose salary job at a Toronto dance company doesn't include the summer season. When this virus enters someone's body, it can take up to 21 days before symptoms appear. He quickly realized it wasn't the tail end of a COVID infection. Then, strange sores started to appear on different parts of his body — eventually around two dozen that he could see, mostly on his legs, and painful ones hidden from view in his rectum. It feels like razor blades in a way, shocking you constantly." As a professional dancer, Kelly is used to pain.