Democratic hopeful for Texas Governor Beto O’Rourke Tweeted on August 28 that he had to postpone upcoming events due to a bacterial infection.
His spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that “Doctors diagnosed Beto with a bacterial infection, which they treated with antibiotics. His symptoms continue to improve and he will be back on the road as soon as he is able.”
The claims and speculation do not cite a source, and a spokesperson for O’Rourke told Reuters that the claims are inaccurate: “‘”The claims are false. Doctors diagnosed Beto with a bacterial infection, which they treated with antibiotics. His symptoms continue to improve and he will be back on the road as soon as he is able.”
Contrary to claims circulating online, Monkeypox is not a bacterial infection, but rather a viral disease.
Monkeypox is not a bacterial infection; it is caused by a virus that belongs to the larger viral family known as poxviridae, and the subgroup, or genus, known as poxviruses, with 12 species, including smallpox and cowpox.
Bacterial infections refer to when bacteria enter the body through an opening in the skin, such as a cut or surgical wound, or an airway, and multiply in number, causing a reaction. Some examples of bacterial infections include food poisoning, eye infections, strep throat, pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, and urinary tract infections.