Monkeypox Informaton and Resources
If you have questions or concerns about monkeypox, symptoms consistent with monkeypox, or may have had close contact with someone with monkeypox, please use the “Request an appointment” button through the Health Services Portal to request to speak with a member of the Health Services team or call us at 518-580-5550.
Please refer to the following resources for the most up-to-date information:
- New York State Department of Health: Monkeypox in New York State
- Monkeypox information from the CDC
- Monkeypox information from the WHO
About monkeypox According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox is a rare viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, a virus in the same family as the virus that causes smallpox. The symptoms are most often mild.
Symptoms
Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 6-13 days of exposure, but can take up to 21 days to appear. Most people with monkeypox will get a rash or sores that may be located on the hands, feet, chest, face, around the genitals, or inside the body including the mouth, vagina or anus. The rash can look like pimples or blisters and goes through several stages, including scabs, before healing. (See examples of monkeypox rash on CDC website.)
Other symptoms of monkeypox can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Respiratory symptoms (sore throat, nasal congestion, cough)
These symptoms may occur before or after the onset of the characteristic rash or sores or may not occur at all. If a person develops flu-like symptoms with monkeypox, they will typically develop a rash 1-4 days later.
The illness is usually mild, although the sores can be painful or itchy. Based on previous outbreaks of monkeypox around the world, some groups may be at increased risk for more severe symptoms, including children under 8 years of age, pregnant people, and those with suppressed immune systems.
Transmission
Monkeypox can spread through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:
- Direct contact with a monkeypox rash or scabs
- Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels) and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox
- Contact with respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact. Please note that it does not linger in the air and is not thought to be transmitted during short periods of shared air space.
Infected individuals can spread monkeypox to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
Who is at risk for monkeypox?
Anyone can get monkeypox, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation. During the current outbreak, monkeypox has spread primarily through sexual contact. However, monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted disease and sexual contact is only one of many ways the virus can spread.
What should I do if I think I have monkeypox?
Students who have symptoms of monkeypox should contact Health Services by calling 518-580-5550. Employees should contact their personal healthcare provider. Anyone with symptoms should keep any lesions covered, wear a mask and avoid direct contact with others until they can be evaluated by a medical provider.
Evaluation and Testing
Health Services is partnering with the Saratoga County Department of Health to test, isolate and treat students with symptoms of monkeypox and/or known exposure. Students will be evaluated in person by a clinician and anyone with skin lesions consistent with monkeypox will be tested and moved into isolation to await test results, which currently take about 3-5 days to receive.
Treatment
Supportive care is the mainstay of therapy. This includes fluids, wound hygiene/care, pain management, and treatment of any secondary infections. Skin lesions should be kept clean and dry. Analgesics, like Tylenol, should be taken as needed for pain. Oral antihistamines and topical agents such as calamine lotion, over the counter hydrocortisone cream, and petroleum jelly can help alleviate itching. More severe infections are managed in collaboration with the local public health department and may involve antiviral medications.
Prevention
The risk to most people from monkeypox remains low, and there are many things you can do to reduce your risk even more. The CDC offers guidance on social gatherings and safer sex practices. Only people with monkeypox symptoms can spread the virus to others. Here are some ways to prevent transmission:
- Avoid close, face-to-face and skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a rash, or other symptoms that could be caused by monkeypox (See examples of monkeypox rash on CDC website).
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water
- Wear a well-fitting mask in crowded indoor or outdoor settings
Vaccination
Currently there are two vaccines licensed by the FDA in the United States (JYNNEOS and ACAM2000), although they are not yet readily available to the general public. At this time, the CDC only recommends vaccination for people who may be more likely to get monkeypox and people who have been recently exposed to monkeypox to help prevent severe illness from the virus.
The Saratoga County Department of Health has a limited supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine and has been offering local vaccination clinics for eligible individuals. Health Services will work with the public health department to help eligible students access vaccination as vaccines become available. Please refer to the NYS Department of Health's website for the most up-to-date information about vaccine availability and eligibility.