Monkeypox is caused by a similar virus that also caused smallpox, but is proving to be a much milder infection. In people, Monkeypox is spread through contact with an infected person’s rash or bodily fluids, including respiratory droplets. Close personal contact, sexual or otherwise, can cause a person to become infected.

As Monkeypox spreads via close contact, those who engage in sexual activity with someone who is showing symptoms may have an increased likelihood of contracting Monkeypox. This includes oral and penetrative sex, as well as touching and kissing.

Furthermore, an individual’s likelihood of catching Monkeypox is increased if they have multiple partners and/or are men who engage in sexual activity with other men (MSM). It is important to note that Monkeypox does not limit itself to MSM and is not a sexually transmitted infection. Anyone who is in close contact with someone showing symptoms is at risk of catching the virus.

Although there are no known cases of Monkeypox amongst individuals who are HIV positive, immunosuppression may cause a more severe reaction to the Monkeypox virus.

Condoms are always recommended to protect yourself and others when engaging in sexual intercourse. However, they do not protect you from catching Monkeypox because it is not, by definition, a sexually transmitted infection.

The reason that Monkeypox can be passed onto others through sexual intercourse is because of the close contact between two bodies. The lesions and rashes caused by Monkeypox can appear anywhere on the body, and therefore, wearing a condom will not protect you from contracting Monkeypox.

Monkeypox is hard to trace unless it is passed on by a confirmed case and you are notified by that individual.

There are many things that you can do to prevent yourself from getting Monkeypox. These include:

• Being aware of the symptoms and initiating a conversation with any partners or close contacts who may be displaying symptoms.
• Avoiding close contact (including any form of physical touch, kissing, or having sex) with someone who is showing signs of Monkeypox rash, lesions, or open sores. Or has been contact with a confirmed case? Incubating time is about three weeks – possible asymptomatic shedding
• Avoid using shared objects with someone who has Monkeypox, this includes objects such as utensils, bedding, towels, clothing, and in general trying to avoid anything and anywhere that the person with Monkeypox has been using.

There is no specific treatment available for Monkeypox at this moment. However, the good news is that it is a self-limiting disease, meaning that it usually resolves on its own and does not tend to leave long-lasting health issues.

Monkeypox can either be treated by no treatment (i.e., allowing the infection to run its course and leave the body once the incubation period is over) or vaccines can be used.

It is important to remember that the treatment is used to relieve symptoms, not to cure the infection. From this perspective we can assess the treatment effectiveness by how well it resolves symptoms, which is high.

Most individuals recover within 2-4 weeks without the need for medical treatment or intervention.

Please contact us for further assistance.

Your partner will only need treatment if they test positive or are symptomatic.

Ideally a confirmatory test should be performed to ensure that you are negative.

Simple over the counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol can be used to help as long as you have no allergies to these medications and no medical conditions that mean you should not take them.

A modified smallpox vaccination known as MVA (Modified Vaccinia Ankara), or Imvanex which is the official brand name, is being offered to individuals who are most at risk to help protect them against the virus. The vaccine is much safer than the smallpox vaccine and hopes to reduce the severity of the infection due to the close nature between Monkeypox and smallpox. There is a limited supply of the MVA vaccine, therefore, one dose is being offered to those who present a higher risk of contracting the virus. Once there is a bigger supply, more doses will be offered.

No. Vaccines work by giving your body a small dose of the disease or virus; your body then produces antibodies to fight the disease or virus. When the disease re-enters your body, the body recognises it and initiates a response to destroy it.

The Monkeypox vaccine exists to limit the symptoms of the disease rather than to cure it as vaccines do not cure diseases but rather provide a level of protection or immunity. Therefore, if you were to ever contract Monkeypox, and you have been vaccinated against it, your body would be able to fight it off at a much stronger level.

The UK Health Security Agency recommends that the MVA is offered to:

• Healthcare workers who are currently caring for, or due to care for, patients with confirmed Monkeypox cases. This includes healthcare workers within sexual health clinics.
• Gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (MSM) who are at high risk. This refers to those with multiple partners.

The vaccine is effective 4 days after exposure to the virus. However, it can still be offered up to 14 days after exposure if you are at high risk of ongoing exposure or at risk of developing a more serious case of the virus.

It is important to remember that the vaccine does not prevent you from contracting the virus but instead works to limit the severity of the symptoms should you contract it.

If you are considered high risk, such as gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (MSM), have multiple partners, have weak immune systems (such as children, or adults with health issues), workin high risk settings such as sexual health clinics or hospitals, or are travelling to a high risk country, the best time to get the Monkeypox vaccine is before any potential exposure occurs.

Boosters are available to those who are deemed high risk. However, you will be advised whether a second dose is needed.

The vaccine ideally should be taken 4 days after exposure to the virus. However, it can still be offered up to 14 days after exposure if you are at high risk of ongoing exposure or at risk of developing a more serious case of the virus.

As with all vaccines, there are possible side effects. The most common side effects to the Monkeypox vaccine are:

• headaches
• aching muscles
• nausea
• tiredness
• chills
• fever
• joint pain, pain in the extremities (hands and feet)
• loss of appetite
• pain, redness, swelling, hardness, itching, discolouration, a lump or bruising at the injection site

If you have atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema), you may experience the following symptoms:

• Intense skin reactions such as redness, swelling and itching
• Other general symptoms such as headache, muscle pain, feeling sick or tired
• A flare-up or worsening of your skin condition

If you are concerned about any side effects that you are experiencing, call 111. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, confusion, continuous fainting or prolonged unconsciousness, call 999 immediately. These symptoms typically occur within 15 minutes of vaccination and may indicate a serious allergic reaction and therefore, should be taken seriously.

Fainting is much more common after vaccination. If you do pass out, lie down on your back with your legs raised. If this does not make you feel better, call 111.

Currently, the Monkeypox vaccine is only available in the NHS and is free of charge. There is a limited supply of doses available so high risk individuals are being prioritised, however, this is due to change once more supplies are available.

Whilst information on the topic is still growing, it seems that most patients who have had Monkeypox will go on to live life as normal. Most cases are usually mild and self-limiting, and most patients will recover within 2 to 4 weeks without treatment.

Most individuals have no complications. However, you may experience aesthetic complications such as scarring from the lesions and scabs. In some rare cases, blindness can occur.

Unfortunately, there is no clear data whether or not you can get Monkeypox again if you have had it before.

The vaccine being used against Monkeypox is shown to be 85% effective at preventing you from acquiring the infection.

It is recommended to avoid contact with anyone who is showing symptoms, and having an honest and open discussion with any new potential partners about their current health will aid your understanding on whether they may be at risk of contracting or passing on the virus.

Young children are more likely to contract Monkeypox if they have been in close contact with a symptomatic person. They are also more likely to generally develop different rashes and illnesses as they grow, therefore, by keeping an eye out for any potential Monkeypox symptoms (in particular rashes with lesions or blisters) you will be able to monitor your child’s health.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that Monkeypox can be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy by the placenta, to the newborn child during close contact after birth and while breastfeeding. It is not confirmed whether pregnant women are more susceptible to the virus, or whether the infection is more severe during pregnancy.