What should I do if I suspect I have Monkeypox?
Public Health recommends that you speak to your primary care provider. Most providers can test for monkeypox through commercial laboratories. The most common symptoms are.
Fever or chills
Headache
Muscle aches
Exhaustion
Swollen lymph nodes
Sores or rashes on/around the genitals, anus, feet, hands, chest, or face
*If you are experiencing these symptoms, please self-isolate until sores have fully healed! Read CDC guidelines on isolation and infection control
Learn MoreTesting
There are now multiple commercial laboratories offering PCR testing for Monkeypox, including Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, Aegis Sciences, and Mayo Clinic Laboratories. Healthcare providers should submit specimens through commercial laboratories if possible, as these labs are likely to provide results with a shorter turnaround time.
Approved vaccines and treatment for Monkeypox
1
Jynneos
- Two doses required 28 days apart
- FDA-approved for ages 18+
- Safe for patients with HIV, eczema, or other exfoliative skin conditions
- Maximum effectiveness takes 14 days after second dose
2
ACAM2000
- One dose required via bifurcated needle
- Not recommended for patients under 12 months old or patients with HIV, cardiac disease, eczema,
exfoliative skin conditions, or pregnancy - FDA-approved for use against smallpox and Monkeypox under an expanded access protocol
- More widely available than Jynneos (as of 08/2022)
What do we know about Monkeypox?
- Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the Monkeypox virus
- The first cases of Monkeypox were recorded in 1958 and have occured rarely in the U.S. through international travel and animal importation
- Monkeypox is similar to smallpox in that it can be spread from infected individuals, animals, and through contaminated objects like clothes, bedding, and towels
Resources for providers:
Testing for Monkeypox can be done through most commercial labs. If you suspect your patient is infected with Monkeypox, collect a sample immediately and contact your local public health authorities.
- Clinical recognition
- Testing, vaccination, and treatment webinar (July 23, 2022)
- Infection control in healthcare settings
- Specimen collection
- CDC Monkeypox vaccination guidelines
- Treatment information for healthcare professionals
