How it Spreads
The monkeypox virus can spread when a person comes into contact with the virus from a human, animal or from materials contaminated with the virus.
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.
- Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact including:
- Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
- Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
- Contact with respiratory secretions.
- This contact can happen during intimate sexual contact including:
- Oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals or anus of a person with monkeypox.
- Hugging, massage, and kissing
- Prolonged face-to-face contact.
- Touching fabrics and objects during sex that were used by a person with monkeypox and that have not been disinfected.
Other ways the monkeypox virus can spread include:
- A pregnant person can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.
- People can 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.
Signs, Symptoms, and What Monkeypox Looks Like
Monkeypox symptoms generally appear 6−13 days after exposure and, for most people, clear up within two to four weeks.
The illness often begins with:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
- A rash that may be located on or near the genitals or anus but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.
- The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
- The rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
Within 1 to 4 days (sometimes longer) after the appearance of fever, the patient develops a rash. For some people, this rash may be their only symptom. The rash can look like pimples or blisters. It often begins on the genitals or anus, or in and around the mouth. In these situations, the monkeypox rash could be confused with a more common sexually transmitted infection (STI). The rash might develop on just one part of the body or can appear on many parts of the body. These lesions might be painful.
People with certain conditions may be more likely to develop severe illness. These include people with weakened immune systems, children under 8 years of age, people with a history of eczema, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Monkeypox can be spread from the time symptoms start until all sores, including scabs, have healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
If you have symptoms, you should separate yourself from other people and pets, cover your lesions, and contact your healthcare provider.
Monkeypox Rash Photos
Photo credit: UK Health Security Agency, Source: CDC.
Prevention
Take the following steps to prevent getting monkeypox:
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
- Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
- 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.
While public health works to contain the current outbreak, we want you to have information so you can make informed choices when you are in spaces or situations where monkeypox could be spread through close, intimate contact or during sex. See Social Gatherings, Safer Sex, and Monkeypox to learn more about:
- How to lower the chance of getting monkeypox at places like raves, parties, clubs, and festivals.
- How to lower your risk during sex.
- What to do if you have a new or unexplained rash, sores, or other symptoms.
CDC does not recommend widespread vaccination against monkeypox at this time. However, vaccination may be recommended for some people who:
- Are close personal contacts of people with monkeypox
- May have been exposed to the virus.
- May have increased risk of being exposed to the virus, such as people who perform laboratory testing to diagnose monkeypox.
Supply of vaccine in the US is limited, screening to identify those who are at higher risk is important so that available vaccine goes to those who are more likely to become infected.
Learn more about vaccination in Virginia.
Testing
Monkeypox is diagnosed through special laboratory tests on samples taken from people or animals suspected of having monkeypox. Testing can be coordinated through the local health department.
Treatment
As with many viral illnesses, treatment mainly involves supportive care and relief of symptoms. Some treatments are being investigated for monkeypox.
There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections. However, monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections.
Antivirals, such as tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems.
If you have symptoms of monkeypox, you should talk to your healthcare provider, even if you don’t think you had contact with someone who has monkeypox.
What we are still learning
The CDC is closely monitoring worldwide case counts and working to understand the cause of the current cases.
Researchers are also investigating::
- If the virus can be spread when someone has no symptoms.
- 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.
- Could be present in semen, vaginal fluids, urine, and fecal matter (poop).
Communication Resources and Shareables
Monkeypox Fact Sheet (Virginia Department of Health)
Download English | Spanish
#FFXHealthFact Social Media Shareables
Monkeypox is in the Northern Virginia region. Get the facts and learn how to protect you and your family. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/monkeypox
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Think only men who have sex with men can get monkeypox? Think again. Monkeypox is spread via skin-to-skin contact or touching an infected item. So anyone can get and spread monkeypox. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/monkeypox
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People are infectious with monkeypox from onset of symptoms until the lesions are healing and new skin is forming. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/monkeypox
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Exposed to monkeypox? At hi-risk? Call us to see if you are eligible for a vaccine: 703-267-3511
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If you contract monkeypox, be sure to follow your care protocol to prevent spread to others. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/monkeypox
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More Shareables and Communication Resources
CDC: Print Resources
VDH: Communication Resources
Vaccine
About monkeypox vaccine
Two vaccines may be used for the prevention of monkeypox disease:
- JYNNEOS vaccine is approved for the prevention of monkeypox and smallpox disease.
- ACAM2000 vaccine is approved for immunization against smallpox disease and made available for use against monkeypox under an Expanded Access Investigational New Drug (EA-IND) protocol.
People can be vaccinated after exposure to monkeypox virus to help prevent monkeypox disease. This is called "post-exposure prophylaxis."
How to get vaccinated in the Fairfax Health District
The Fairfax County Health Department created an online interest form for individuals seeking monkeypox vaccination. Vaccine will be made available to eligible individuals based on risk factors. No one will be denied a vaccine based on race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, economic, or citizenship status. People who meet the current eligibility criteria may fill out the interest form to receive a monkeypox vaccine, but because supply is limited, appointments will be made as supply allows. Minors 17 years old and under must have a parent, guardian, or adult aged 18 or older designated by the parent or guardian present on-site to receive the vaccine. Contact the Health Department call center with questions: 703-267-3511.
Complete the monkeypox vaccine eligibility survey
If you are sick and have symptoms consistent with monkeypox, seek medical care from your healthcare provider. Call ahead and let them know you are concerned about possible monkeypox infection so they can take precautions to ensure that others are not exposed.