Monkeypox Updates in 7 LGBTQ+ Destinations
700 identified cases of monkeypox in more than half the states and Washington, D.C. Most patients with the disease experience flu-like symptoms like fever, body aches, chills, fatigues, and swollen lymph nodes.
The disease may progress to rashes and lesions on the face, hands, rectum, and genital area. It typically spreads through skin-to-skin contact (and less so through objects and fabrics used by someone with the disease, as well as respiratory secretions from acts like kissing and talking at a close distance).
Monkeypox is not as contagious as a disease like COVID-19 and fatality rates range from zero to 11 percent.Information on precautions and vaccine availability is scant and scattered, with city, state, and federal health departments often sharing conflicting or confusing information.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control is only explicitly advising those with lesions or laboratory workers to get the ACAM2000 (smallpox) or JYNNEOS vaccines to protect them if they are potentially exposed to the virus, as well as advising those already with lesions to go to their health care provider.
