Healthy Community. Happy Families.
Phone: 270-781-8039
Monkeypox Information
Monkeypox Hotline (844)520-6670
What is it?
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.
Photo: NHS England High Consequence Infectious Disease Network
Monkeypox Symptoms:
Symptoms of monkeypox can include:
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Fever
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Headache
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Muscle aches and backache
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Swollen lymph nodes
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Chills
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Exhaustion
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Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
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A rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.
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The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
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The rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
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You may experience all or only a few symptoms
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Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.
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Most people with monkeypox will get a rash.
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Some people have developed a rash before (or without) other symptoms.
Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.
Monkeypox can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
Take the following steps to prevent getting monkeypox:
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Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
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Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
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Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
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Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
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Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
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Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
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Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.
Prevention:
How does it spread?:
Monkeypox spreads in a few ways.
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Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:
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Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
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Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
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Contact with respiratory secretions.
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This direct contact can happen during intimate contact, including:
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Oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) of a person with monkeypox.
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Hugging, massage, and kissing.
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Prolonged face-to-face contact.
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Touching fabrics and objects during sex that were used by a person with monkeypox and that have not been disinfected, such as bedding, towels, fetish gear, and sex toys.
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A pregnant person can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.
It’s also possible for people to get monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal.
A person with monkeypox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
Scientists are still researching:
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If the virus can be spread when someone has no symptoms
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How often monkeypox is spread through respiratory secretions, or when a person with monkeypox symptoms might be more likely to spread the virus through respiratory secretions.
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Whether monkeypox can be spread through semen, vaginal fluids, urine, or feces.
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