The monkeypox vaccine is available, by appointment only, for the following individuals:
- Men who have sex with men, or transgender individuals, who report any of the following in the last 90 days:
a) Having multiple or anonymous sex partners
b) Being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection
c) Receiving HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
- People who have had close physical contact with someone diagnosed with monkeypox
Appointments can be made by calling 336-703-3100.
While early cases of monkeypox are heavily concentrated among men who have sex with men, anyone can contract the virus.
Monkeypox is spread through:
- direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
- respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
- touching items (such as clothing or linens) previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
The monkeypox rash may initially appear similar to pimples, blisters, or raised bumps that appear on the face, inside the mouth or other parts of the body, like hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus and may be accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. The rash may be painful and itchy, and will go through several stages before healing, including scabs. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks and is rarely fatal.
People with a rash that looks like monkeypox should contact their healthcare provider. Close contacts to a known monkeypox case with no symptoms should contact their local health department.
Original source can be found here.
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