Pride(214)

What is Monkeypox

● Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus

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● Monkeypox can make you sick including a rash or sores (pox), often with an earlier flu-like illness

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● Monkeypox can spread to anyone who comes into contact with the virus’s rash, scabs or body fluids, according to the CDC.

It can also spread through respiratory secretions and during intimate physical contact, and by touching material that came into contact with an infectious rash or body fluids.​

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● This contact can happen during intimate sexual contact including:

    ■ Oral, anal, and vaginal sex

    ■ Hugging, massage, or mutual masturbation

    ■ Kissing and talking closely

    ■ Touching fabrics and objects during sex that were used by a person with monkeypox, such as bedding, towels and sex toys

 

● We know the virus can be spread in fluid or pus from monkeypox sores, and are trying to better understand if the monkeypox genetic material found in semen was capable of infecting another person and replicating. 

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What Are the Symptoms?

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Early flu-like symptoms of monkeypox can include

Fever ■ Headache ■ Muscle aches and backache ■ Swollen lymph nodes

Chills ■ Exhaustion

The first lesions are usually formed on the tongue and in the mouth.  The rash then spreads out from the face and moves to all parts of the body within 24 hours.  

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If You Have a New or Unexplained Rash, Sores, or Other Symptoms...

● Testing is currently done only when there are visible sores that can be swabbed, then the swab is sent to the lab.  Medical personnel performing swab tests should take precautions and wear appropriate PPE.

Persons seeking testing should call the health department FIRST to discuss their illness and notify any ER BEFORE going into the ER to advise of potential monkeypox.   A mask that securely covers nose and mouth must be worn throughout the testing encounter

● Avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until you have been checked out

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If You or Your Partner Have Monkeypox

 If symptoms have developed, you will need to isolate at home until you are no longer considered contagious to other people. This occurs after all lesions have resolved, scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.  This could take up to 2-4 weeks. 

The CDC recommends the following steps for isolation:  

• Do not leave the home except as required for emergencies or follow-up medical care. 

• Isolate in a room or area separate from other household members and pets when possible. 

• Do not share dishes, other eating utensils, bed linens, clothing, towels, wash cloths, or drinking glasses with others. 

• Avoid close contact with others, including sexual activity that involves direct physical contact. 

• Avoid contact with unaffected individuals until the rash has resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed. 

• Friends, family or others without an essential need to be in the home should not visit. 

• Limit use of spaces, items, and food that are shared with other household members. 

  • If possible, use a separate bathroom if there are others who live in the same household. Please see CDC instructions on when it is not possible to use a separate bathroom here. 

  • It is not necessary for the infected person to use separate utensils if properly washed.  

  • Wash soiled dishes and eating utensils in a dishwasher or by hand with warm water and soap. 

While isolating, you should: 

• Routinely clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and items, such as counters or light switches 

  • Use an EPA-registered disinfectant like hydrogen peroxide wipes (full list here) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.  

  • Wear well-fitting source control like a medical mask when in close contact with others at home. 

• Avoid use of contact lenses to prevent inadvertent infection of the eye. 

• Avoid shaving rash-covered areas of the body as this can lead to spread of the virus. 

• Try to avoid contaminating upholstered furniture and other porous materials that cannot be laundered by placing coversheets, waterproof mattress covers, blankets, or tarps over these surfaces. 

• Additional precautions such as steam cleaning can be considered if there is concern about contamination. 

• Follow all prevention recommendations and treatment provided by a healthcare provider.  

• You will need to inform the health department of other individuals who may have been exposed to monkeypox. Identifying potential contacts will help them receive the proper treatments and protect others in the community from getting infected with monkeypox.

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● Follow the treatment and prevention recommendations of your healthcare provider which will probably include:

isolation at home; do not use public transportation; avoid visitors including household members, and pets; if possible use a private bath and sleeping arrangement in your home; keep any lesions covered to minimize incidental exposures; long sleeves and pants are encouraged; wash your own laundry; do not shake or whip soiled laundry items because this action could spread the virus;

 

practice good hand hygiene such as washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or 70% alcohol hand sanitizer, especially after wound contact;

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Disinfect common high-touch surfaces; e.g. faucet handles, toilets, light switches, door knobs with a disinfectant from EPA list and observe the directions for use. Bleach may be preferable, due to the shorter contact time requirement and availability in a disposable wipe form.

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● Avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until all your sores have healed and you have a fresh layer of skin formed

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