**ERROR UPDATE** I mistakenly said that cotton swabs can be used but it's ONLY synthetic swabs for monkeypox testing!! Link for testing instructions here.

Monkeypox has been confusing and scary for patients and providers alike, especially on the heels of the Covid pandemic that we’re still facing. The WHO named it a public health emergency and global outbreak, as has the CDC, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s as scary as it sounds.

At the time of this episode, there have been about 7,000 cases in the US, predominantly in patients who are cis-male and have sex with other cis-males (MSM), although this is a virus that can affect any patient. It’s not sexually transmitted, as has been reported in the news (misinformation). 

Even though any person can be infected with monkeypox, we need to make sure that the most vulnerable populations are getting the access to care, education, and support they need-- at the current time means especially our patients who are men who have sex with men.

In this episode, we cover:

• Key background information you need to know
• Symptoms & Diagnosis
• Transmission of Monkeypox & Infection control
• Differential Diagnosis
• Approach to testing
• Overview of treatment

Check out the links we referenced in this episode for images of monkeypox on a variety of skin tones and stages, and link to phone numbers of the departments of public health by state.

CDC images of monkeypox

Department of public health numbers

Further information from the CDC for medical providers is here

Read the blog post here.

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Please note: This episode is intended only for medical providers and students learning to be medical providers. 

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