Important Things to Know About Monkeypox Right Now

With so much information spreading (not all of it factual) here are the most important things to know about monkeypox right now:  

• Monkeypox is spread through close physical contact, which can include sexual contact but is NOT limited to sexual contact. Anyone who is in close contact with someone with a monkeypox infection is at risk for infection.  
• In this outbreak in the U.S., communities of men who have sex with men (ie. gay and bisexual men) have had the highest infection rates of monkeypox. Infectious illnesses tend to spread in communities – the 1918 flu started spreading in army barracks, for example. We all know it didn’t stop there. Monkeypox is not a “gay disease” OR an exclusively sexually transmitted disease. But it is important to know who is currently at the highest risk in this outbreak. The states with the highest cases right now are New York, California and Florida. 
• Talk to your healthcare provider or local health department if you believe you have been exposed or you are a high risk – you may be eligible for a vaccine.  
• To stop the spread, it’s important that everyone know the symptoms of monkeypox so we know what to look for. The monkeypox rash looks like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body which might include: hands, feet, chest, or genitals. Other symptoms: fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion.  

For more information and links to outbreak and vaccination resources, check out our FAQ: https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/monkeypox-faq