You may have heard of monkeypox on the news or on the internet. It’s a new disease that can easily spread from person to person. Any person of any age or any gender can get infected with monkeypox, so it’s critical you’re aware of the signs and symptoms. This is still a new condition, so the CDC and the World Health Organization are still learning new information.

AFC Urgent Care Elizabeth provides testing for monkeypox. Samples are sent out to be analyzed in a local lab, and results are available soon thereafter. AFC Elizabeth is open for disease testing seven days a week, so you can visit us on weekends. We don’t require appointments for lab testing services or any other urgent care service. Visit our center today.

 

Symptoms of Monkeypox

As of August 2022, there have been nearly 13,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States, and there are cases in nearly every state. There is one telltale sign of monkeypox, and it can be accompanied by other symptoms. If you have monkeypox, you will experience a rash that can be located on any part of your body, including the face, mouth, hands, or genitals.

The rash initially may resemble pimples or blisters, and they can be very painful or itchy. The rash will also go through stages before finally healing, including scabbing over. Additional symptoms of monkeypox can include:

• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches or chills
• Respiratory symptoms (such as flu-like symptoms)
• Headache

These symptoms will vary on a case-by-case basis. Some patients experience symptoms before the rash, some may experience them after, and others will only experience a rash. There is no way to know who will experience the additional flu-like symptoms.

 

How long do monkeypox symptoms last?

Similar to other viruses, monkeypox symptoms likely show three weeks after exposure. If a patient does experience flu-like symptoms, a rash will develop within one to four days after. Those with monkeypox can spread the virus to others, beginning when their symptoms start all the way to when the rash scabs over and new skin has formed. The recovery process can last anywhere from two to four weeks.

If you find yourself with bumps that resemble a monkeypox rash or flu-like symptoms, avoid close contact with others, including intimacy, until you are tested by a healthcare provider. Be sure to wear a mask when you visit AFC Elizabeth or another healthcare provider, as this virus can spread through close contact.

 

What are the available treatment options for monkeypox?

Currently, there are no specific treatments for monkeypox. However, scientists have found many similarities between monkeypox and smallpox. Antiviral drugs and vaccines used against smallpox may also be effective at treating and preventing monkeypox.

If you do test positive for monkeypox, your AFC Elizabeth medical provider will make recommendations for your recovery. The CDC also has a list of recommendations, including letting others know you have tested positive. Visit AFC Urgent Care Elizabeth today to get tested for monkeypox.