We sat with the comic and actor Shalom Kaa based in Darwin, who recently had MPOX. He shares his experience in having the virus and how he used it to write a performance that supports and trains sexual health.
When did you have MPOX?
I continued the MPOX in late September 2024 and was diagnosed with the hospital in early October.
How did you find out that you had MPOX?
I got very ill for two weeks with fever and loop. Then I got points in my hands, which I hope was syphilis, as it can easily be treated. I had an appointment of Telehealth and then I went straight to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with MPox.
How were the symptoms?
The disease was full. Do not assume that it is just a typical fever or flu. Lethargy (also called fatigue) was the worst. It was horrible. Then I got Pleurisy (inflammation of the membrane around the lungs) that I discovered that it is sometimes a symptom. It was also awful.
Two days after diagnosis, my fever left and my health returned, but I had to isolate until the wounds were cured.
“The points (I had about 100) were there for two and a half weeks.”
You have to self -promote the points. Once the wounds fall and the skin grows, then you are not infectious. But the signs of my skin, so it may still look like I have it. After two weeks, I made a soft return to the community, wore long clothes and put the band aids in all scars.
How did MPox affect your daily life?
Having to isolate it meant, as a semi-casual employee and artist, I could not make money. I jumped straight into the Centrelink application, uploaded my doctor’s certificate and was approved in one day and so I lived. It was enough to pay the rent and food.
I am positive about HIV, so the other concern I had was for the MPOX that complicates my HIV virus. They got HIV’s statistics while I was in the hospital, they returned, saying that my viral load had increased over detectable levels (which can happen when I am sick). So I have re -examined and I am still waiting for the results, but I will do it when it comes.
Did you have to inform you of your diagnosis of your diagnosis?
I didn’t have recent partners after my exposure to MPOX because I was so sick. At the hospital, they asked to contact Trace.
I told them I don’t know the names of these people. I went to sex seminar.
It was great about it. And they got the names of the spaces I went. This process was fine.
What advice would you give to someone who can worry about MPOX or still think of being vaccinated?
If the concern is about imposing isolation, even in your sex life, then go and get vaccinated, it’s so simple.
How did you use your experience to update or inspire your work?
In Darwin, I am an interpreter and I had no disappointment to tell people the real story as soon as I returned to work. Then it became funny! Not that MPox is funny, but laughter has normalized MPox and homosexual sex (even dark rooms). I decided to do a comedy show from it and make some money. I told them the whole process, going to the doctor and saying “WTF” when I was told it was mpox. These little stories are mixed in an hour.
I had a long relationship with my local sexual health organization, ntahc (Northern Territory Aids and Hepatitis Council).
“I wanted to have a message and talk about all the amazing LGBTQ services available [at NTAHC]. ”
It was particularly important because Clinic 34, the test clinic, is no longer on the CBD. He is now in the hospital-which is 20 minutes by car. I had many NTAHC posters, leaflets and information on the show. This team works very hard. They provide so much information about my broadcasts – because many people do not know these services or that MPox vaccination is free. I wanted to say, “Hi, it’s, it’s easy. Just do it. ”
Where can we see more of you?
I was recently in a game called ‘A hit and miss the Christmas‘, where I played a manager of a homophobic theater who is absolute Wanker. It was delicious to play!
I will be in Sydney Fringe and Darwin Fringe, doing some television work and more comedy. You can follow Shalom’s work on social media here.
Author’s notes: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Not all cases of MPox are as notable as significant or serious as shalom’s. If you find something unusual, ask for a MPOX test. Double -vaccinated MPox significantly reduces your chance of severe symptoms, which may need medical care for pain. Although Shalom first observed the points in his hands, only one or more can appear anywhere in the body. EMEN8’s MPox toolkit shows you how to identify the symptoms and where to find the nearest vaccination provider.
MPOX is still circulating in Australia. Now vaccine free to maximize your protection and limit the spread. All people living with HIV and anyone who is sexually active is strongly recommended to complete the full course of two vaccines.
We thank Shalom for generously sharing his experience of having MPox in the hope that other guys remain informed and vaccinated.
