Monkeypox Facts

Monkeypox, is circulating throughout countries across the globe and has been identified in North Carolina, including WNC. It is essential that residents know the signs and symptoms of monkeypox and practice general public health guidance and social etiquette if symptomatic.

Monkeypox Facts

Monkeypox is an infection that causes sickness including a rash or sores, often with an earlier flu-like illness. Monkeypox can spread to anyone through:

Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or bodily fluids
Sharing unwashed clothing, linens, or towels that have come in contact with monkeypox rash or body fluids
Prolonged skin-to-skin contact like when hugging, touching, cuddling, and when being intimate with someone

Symptoms typically resolve within 2 to 4 weeks and are rarely life-threatening. Individuals experiencing symptoms should practice typical social etiquette and avoid close physical contact with others. While monkeypox is not an STI, it can be spread through sexual contact. Individuals should abstain from sexual activity with others until they are no longer symptomatic. Individuals are considered fully recovered after flu-like symptoms and rash/scabs are no longer present.

Monkeypox does not spread through casual conversations, touching shared smooth/solid surfaces like doorknobs and counters, or being in public around someone with monkeypox. Standard household cleaners and detergents are effective at cleaning environmental surfaces and linens that have had contact with the monkeypox rash or respective body fluids.

Individuals who experience symptoms or have been exposed to monkeypox should call their healthcare providers to get tested. If the individual does not have a healthcare provider, call Buncombe County Health and Human Services Health Clinic for an assessment and testing. To make an appointment, call (828) 250-5000.

It is essential that individuals understand the signs and symptoms of monkeypox and how to prevent/treat symptoms. Prevention is our best shot at dodging a wide-scale community outbreak. The Buncombe County Public Health Team encourages all residents to seek testing when symptomatic and avoid close physical contact with others until symptoms resolve within 2 to 4 weeks.

Here are some simple steps everyone can take to prevent the spread of monkeypox:

Talking to intimate partners about recent illnesses including unexplained sores or rashes on your body or your partner’s body, including on the genitals and anus.
Avoid close or intimate contact with people who are experiencing symptoms like sores or rashes.
After testing, avoid close contact with others until symptoms, including rash and scabs, have completely gone away
Use PPE like gloves and a mask when caring for a symptomatic person, and
Wash hands regularly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds

If you or your partner have (or think you might have) monkeypox and you decide to have sex, consider the following to reduce the chance of spreading the virus:

Have virtual sex with no in-person contact.
Masturbate together at a distance of at least 6 feet, without touching each other and without touching any rash or sores.
Consider having sex with your clothes on or covering areas where rash or sores are present, reducing as much skin-to-skin contact as possible.
Avoid kissing.

Remember to wash your hands, fetish gear, sex toys, and any fabrics (bedding, towels, clothing)

Reduce your Risk-Prevent the Spread

Prevention is the best way to reduce the impact of Monkeypox. Talk to your partner[s] before getting intimate about any new symptoms, especially rash. Rash or sores may appear anywhere on the body, including the groin. If either of you are symptomatic, find other ways to be intimate.