Trustee Dr. Derek Robinson answers commonly asked questions about the monkeypox virus outbreak. Dr. Robinson is vice president and chief medical officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield in the state of Illinois.

Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It leads to rash and flu-like symptoms. Like the better-known virus that causes smallpox, it is a member of the family called orthopoxvirus. There’s no proven treatment for monkeypox, it goes away on its own. Although a vaccine can prevent you from contracting a severe case of the disease at present supplies are limited.

Symptoms

Early signs of monkeypox include flu-like symptoms like:

• Fever.
• Chills.
• Headache.
• Muscle aches.
• Fatigue.
• Swollen lymph nodes.

After a few days, a rash often develops. The rash starts as flat, red bumps, which can be painful. Those bumps turn into blisters, which fill with pus. Eventually, the blisters crust over and fall off — the whole process can last two to four weeks. You can also get sores in your mouth, vagina or anus.

How do you catch monkeypox?

Monkeypox can spread from person to person.  Person-to-person spread (transmission) occurs when you come in contact with the sores, scabs, respiratory droplets or oral fluids of an infected person usually through close, intimate situations like cuddling, kissing or sex. You can also get monkeypox by coming into contact with recently contaminated materials like clothing, bedding and other linens used by an infected person. Anyone can get a monkeypox infection. 

Prevention and Risk Reduction

A smallpox vaccine provides protection against monkeypox, but its use is currently limited to clinical trials. Prevention depends on decreasing human contact with infected animals and limiting person-to-person spread.

The best way to help prevent spread the monkeypox virus is to:

• Avoid contact with bedding and other materials contaminated with the virus.
• Avoid contact with people who may be infected with the virus.

Students should contact Student Health Services at 504-520-7396 if exposed or experiencing symptoms.