- The emergence of monkeypox has been declared a global health emergency.
- Symptoms include a rash, which can be very painful. Other symptoms that might appear are headache, fever, muscle aches, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, which usually appear before a rash. People are only contagious when they have symptoms.
- Monkeypox is not considered an efficient virus. In almost all cases, there is prolonged skin-to-skin contact for transmission. On rare occasions, contact with contaminated linens or surfaces can also transmit the virus. Rarely, there is transmission via respiratory secretion. Symptoms usually start within two weeks after exposure to the virus.
- New York, California, and Florida are leading the country in the number of cases.
- There are two vaccines available and a therapeutic agent called TPOXX that is accessible, if needed. Those eligible for vaccination, in general, include people who are aware that a sexual partner has been diagnosed with monkeypox in the last two weeks or those with multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks that was in an area known to have monkeypox cases. Importantly, there is a four-day window to receive vaccination after exposure.
- If someone has symptoms, avoid close contact, such as kissing, cuddling, having sex, talking closely, or touching rashes or scabs. Avoid contact with any objects that have traces of their bodily fluid, such as clothes, towels, or sheets.
- If one suspects they may have monkeypox, it will be important to isolate and remember to not share bathrooms or linens during infection.
- As of the week of this publication, there have been 18,417 US cases of monkeypox and zero deaths.
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