How to Prevent Monkeypox

How to Prevent Monkeypox (MPX)
What is MPX
Monkeypox (MPX) is a rare disease viral illness.
Anyone can get MPX, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Since mid-May 2022, cases of MPX have been identified in the U.S., where cases don’t normally occur.
How it spreads
MPX can spread to anyone with close and/or skin-to-skin contact, including:
• ▪ Direct contact with the rash, sores, or scabs.
• ▪ Through prolonged contact with respiratory droplets or fluids from someone with MPX (e.g., kissing, sharing food/drink).
• ▪ Less commonly, by wearing clothing or sleeping in the same bed as a person who has MPX.
Symptoms
A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. Some people may have only one sore, bump, or blister.
Other symptoms of monkeypox can include:
• ▪ Fever or chills
• ▪ Swollen lymph nodes
• ▪ Headache
• ▪ Fatigue
• ▪ Body aches (including muscle and back)
Most people with MPX recover on their own and do not need to go to the hospital. The rash/sores can be extremely painful and there are medicines that can help.
Prevention
Take the following steps to prevent getting MPX:
• ▪ Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact, and sex (oral, anal, vaginal) with people whose infection status is unknown.
o ▪ Limit your number of sex partners to reduce the possibility of exposure.
o ▪ If you or your partner have recently been sick, currently feel sick, or have a new or an unexplained rash, do not have sex and see a health care provider.
• ▪ Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a new, unknown rash.
o ▪ Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with MPX.
o ▪ Do not kiss, hug, cuddle, or have sex with someone with MPX.
o ▪ Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with MPX.
• ▪ Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with MPX.
▪ If you do have to handle laundry of someone with MPX, wear appropriate safety equipment including a gown, gloves, eye protection, and a mask.
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.