Monkeypox does not come just from monkeys!! Monkeypox was first isolated from a monkey in Africa and then to small rodents. There are two strains of Monkeypox, one is more severe then the other strain. (Smith Rogers, 2022)
The symptoms are flu-like symptoms of fever, swollen lymph nodes, and not feeling well. Individuals that have contracted Monkeypox, outside of Africa, have reported mild symptoms and severe symptoms and death are rare. Monkeypox spreads through large respiratory drops and body fluids, mainly spread through close or intimate contact. Coughing in someone’s face, becoming in contact with spit or drool, or kissing someone, are the ways that respiratory drops and bodily fluids can be transferred from an individual with Monkeypox to another individual. Monkeypox is not highly contagious. (Smith Rogers, 2022)
What do older adults need to know about this infection? Any age group can contract this infection, but 25 – 35 year olds and LGTBQ men are the demographics that have been hit the worst. To decrease the risk of contracting Monkeypox, maintain distance between individuals, wear a mask, wash your hands and face often, avoid close skin to skin contact, and practice safe sex. Consistent skin to skin contact, contact with other individual’s rashes, bodily fluid, and scabs, and sexual intercourse are the main ways to contract Monkeypox. (AgeGuide, 2022)
Besides maintaining standard health precautions, there is a vaccination for pox viruses, which includes Monkeypox. Individuals who are immunocompromised or have been exposed to Monkeypox are the individuals who would qualify for a vaccination, due to the short supply of vaccinations. (AgeGuide, 2022)
Continue to maintain standard health precautions and maintain a healthy lifestyle, to help decrease the spread of infections! If you notice any signs or symptoms, talk to your primary care physician!
Resources Utilized:
- Smith Rogers, L. (2022, May 23). What you need to know about Monkeypox. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2022/what-you-need-to-know-about-monkeypox
- Monkeypox: What older adults need to know. AgeGuide. (2022, August 12). Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://ageguide.org/monkeypox-what-older-adults-need-to-know/ 
