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What you should know about monkeypox
Learn about monkeypox, its signs and symptoms, how it spreads, and current vaccines and treatments.
General Health
4 min read
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Monkeypox was declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) on July 23, 2022 (opens in new tab). This outbreak, which began in May of 2022, started in Europe and has infected over 38,000 people worldwide (including 13,000 people in the US) as of mid-August. We expect that new information will be released by health authorities as this outbreak progresses, and we will update the following information if and when that happens.
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is an infection caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox. Despite its name, the specific animal host of the virus is unknown, but it’s thought to be small mammals, such as squirrels or rodents. It is found mostly in parts of Africa, but has appeared in other parts of the world. Monkeypox spreads primarily through close contact with people, animals, or materials such as bedding or clothing infected with the virus. Anyone can get monkeypox.
What are the signs and symptoms of monkeypox?
Symptoms typically start 5 -13 days after exposure, but in some cases, they can start after 4 - 21 days. Early symptoms may include:
Respiratory symptoms (e.g., sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
A rash will form 1-4 days after these symptoms begin, and can last for 2-3 weeks. These rashes are not always easy to recognize as monkeypox, and can be mistaken for other conditions such as chickenpox, herpes, or syphilis. The presentation of monkeypox can also vary from patient to patient. It’s easy to misdiagnose cases with mild rashes. Some people may only have a few lesions and no other symptoms. If you begin to experience these symptoms, it’s best to reach out to your healthcare provider to better understand what could be causing them.
In most cases, monkeypox resolves on its own and without treatment, and most patients have mild symptoms. Monkeypox rarely requires hospitalization, and when it does, it’s usually to help manage the pain caused by the pustules. The strain in this current outbreak has a death rate of <1%. If you become sick with monkeypox, the CDC recommends (opens in new tab) using gauze or bandages to cover the rash, avoiding “popping” or scratching lesions, and skipping shaving the area of the rash. These mechanisms will help ensure the rash doesn’t spread to other parts of your body. It’s also important to stay hydrated, eat healthily, and get plenty of rest so your body can heal.
How does monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, often skin-to-skin contact, including:
Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or bodily fluids from a person with monkeypox
Touching surfaces and fabrics such as clothing, bedding, and towels used by someone with monkeypox
Contact with respiratory secretions
A pregnant person can also pass the virus to their fetus through the placenta. It’s also possible for the virus to spread through close contact with an infected animal.
People diagnosed with the disease should isolate themselves in a room separate from others in their household, and those providing care to patients in their homes should wear a mask and gloves and pay close attention to hand hygiene. Isolation should continue until all lesions have completely healed (about 2 - 4 weeks). The WHO suggests consistent condom use (opens in new tab) for 12 weeks after recovery, as the role in sexual transmission is still under investigation. Make sure that you are doing your own laundry as it can be passed through contact with infected clothing, and try not to touch your pets as you could potentially pass it to others in your house this way.
Vaccines and treatments for monkeypox
There are also vaccines (opens in new tab) available for those with known risk factors, and for those who have been exposed. Local health authorities are currently managing the vaccine supply and distribution, so check with your county health department for an appointment if you believe you have been exposed to monkeypox and need a vaccine. An antiviral treatment, Tecovirimat (TPOXX) (opens in new tab), was approved to treat smallpox in 2018, and is expected to have the same effectiveness against monkeypox. This treatment will only be used in rare, severe cases.
If you have questions about monkeypox, reach out to your healthcare provider, who can help you understand your risk, prevention strategies, and treatment options.
Oscar Members
We expect additional guidance to be released in the coming weeks and months, and will update this page as additional information regarding testing and treatment becomes available. As of August 18th, vaccines are available through your local public health authority or department of health. They are currently offered to those with high risk exposures, and other groups of people at increased risk, such as certain healthcare workers. Vaccines are currently $0, however any associated administration costs will be paid according to your plan benefits.
