Here is what you need to know:
Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic infection typically endemic in West and Central Africa, but we are seeing outbreaks in the United States. Smallpox and monkeypox come from the same Orthopoxvirus genus, but smallpox has a significantly higher mortality rate than monkeypox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.
How does monkeypox spread?
According to the CDC, 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.
- Intimate 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 have not been disinfected, such as bedding, towels, fetish gear, and sex toys
A pregnant person can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
Classically, the illness begins with a fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and headaches. However, the most recent reported cases began with a pox-like rash in the genitals or rectal region and can appear on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.
Here is how Sollis can help
Testing at Sollis
Testing is offered exclusively in our centers or via house call for our members. Our team will provide the best treatment setting based on their condition. All tests are processed through a third-party lab partner. You may receive a bill from them based on your health insurance coverage terms or if no insurance is given or on file during testing.
Treatment
Monkeypox can be treated with Tecovirimat, also known as TPOXX, an antiviral drug approved by the FDA in 2018 to treat smallpox in adults and children and currently authorized by the CDC to treat Monkeypox under an expanded access Investigational New Drug (EA-IND) protocol. TPOXX may be used for people with severe diseases or who are more likely to get severely ill such as individuals with a weakened immune system.
TPOXX Criteria
In line with the CDC, TPOXX may be considered for treatment for people affected with Monkeypox:
- With a severe case of Monkeypox, such as lesions causing severe pain, high risk of scarring, hemorrhagic disease, confluent lesions, sepsis, or other conditions requiring hospitalization
- Who are at high risk of severe disease:
- People with immunocompromising conditions (e.g., HIV/AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma, and more)
- Pediatric populations, particularly patients younger than eight years of age
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- People with a history or presence of atopic dermatitis, people with other common skin conditions such as eczema, burns, severe acne, psoriasis, and more
Sollis is one of the few medical facilities that have a relationship with the limited number of pharmacies that carry TPOXX.
Monkeypox Management and Care at Sollis Health:
- Access to monkeypox testing with a turnaround time of 3 days
- Liaison between the CDC to get approval for TPOXX if you are at high-risk and have been exposed
- Access to TPOXX, an antiviral drug approved by the FDA for individuals who are positive for the virus and meet the CDC required criteria
- Monkeypox vaccine advocacy, supporting you to find available vaccine appointments
- Medication support for additional symptoms you may be experiencing
- Access to on-demand medical care via our 24/7 centers, telehealth, or house calls
Last Updated 9.14.22
