Monkeypox Information
Monkeypox 101
- Anyone can get monkeypox, regardless of age, race, sexuality, or gender identity.
- Monkeypox can cause a rash that looks like bumps, blisters or ulcers, sometimes located on hands, feet, chest, face, around the genitals or inside the body including mouth, vagina or anus.
- Some people have flu-like illness before the rash develops. Other symptoms of monkeypox can include, fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and fatigue.
- Most people recover in 2–4 weeks, but the disease can be serious, especially for children and people who are immune compromised or pregnant.
- An individual isnt’t considered contagious until symptoms appear. They remain contagious until all sores have healed, a new layer of skin is formed and scabs have fallen off.
Symptoms of Monkeypox
- Monkeypox can cause a rash that looks like bumps, blisters or ulcers. These can appear on the hands, feet, chest, face, or around the genitals. They can also appear inside the body, including the mouth, vagina, or anus.
- Some individuals report having a flu-like illness before the rash develops.
- Other symptoms of monkeypox include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches or backaches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Fatigue
How does it spread?
- Direct physical contact with an infected person's rash, sores, or scabs. the CDC believes this is the most common way that monkeypox is spreading in the US.
- Kissing and other face-to-face contact due to contact with respiratory droplets or saliva
- During sex through skin-to-skin and other intimate sexual contact
- Contact with objects, fabrics (e.g., clothing, bedding or towels) and surfaces used by someone with monkeypox
Preventing Monkeypox
- Always talk to your sexual partner/s about any recent illness and be aware of new or unexplained sores or rashes on your body or your partner’s body
- Avoiding close contact, including sex, with people with symptoms like sores or rashes
- Practicing good hand-washing hygiene
- Avoid sharing bedding, towels, or unwashed clothing with others