Monkeypox in central Pa.: Warning signs, chances of infection and what to do if you get sick | CPT PPP Coverage

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If the recent news that there’s a confirmed monkeypox case in central Pa has you worried, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has important information for you.

A recent survey has shown that many people don’t have a lot of knowledge about the disease, even as occasional headlines about new infections have appeared in our state over the past few months.

Most recently, a case was confirmed at a Cumberland County school, with the Cumberland Valley School District issuing a statement about someone at Shaull Elementary having the disease.

With all that said, there is no cause for alarm quite yet.

We’ve reached out to the Pennsylvania Department of Health to share their guidance on monkeypox. The first thing to note in their response is that your chances of getting monkeypox in Pennsylvania are very low.

“Health officials advise the public not to panic,” read a statement from the Department of Health. “The current risk of getting monkeypox is very low for the individuals across the state, but it’s still good for everyone to know the facts about the symptoms, prevention and what to do if you get sick.”

Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox, the response said, but thankfully milder than that more serious disease. Vaccines are also available for monkeypox, though not everyone is likely to need one – most cases of monkeypox are mild and require no special treatment.

The most notable symptom of monkeypox is a rash, which can be located on or near the genitals or anus, but also can be present on other parts of the body such as the hands, feet, chest, face or mouth. The rash can look like pimples or blisters, and may be painful or itchy.

Other symptoms of monkeypox can include the following:

• fever
• headache
• muscle aches and back ache
• swollen lymph nodes
• chills
• exhaustion
• respirator symptoms

Illness usually lasts between two and four weeks. The disease can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed, all scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

Unlike COVID-19, monkeypox is spread through close physical contact, often by skin-to-skin contact.

Here are the guidelines from the Department of Health on how to avoid infection:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like pimples or blisters
• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox
• Do not handle or touch the unwashed bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom
• Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox
• If you have symptoms or test positive, isolate yourself until the rash heals to avoid transmitting monkeypox to other

“As a reminder: Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted disease and does not spread easily between people,” the statement read. “However, anyone who has extremely close personal contact — mostly skin-to-skin — including direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluid from a person with monkeypox, can get it and should take steps to protect themselves.”

If you think you might have been exposed to monkeypox, the Department of Health advises you to immediately contact your health care provider, as well as local or state health department agencies at 877-PA-HEALTH. Those officials can help evaluate your risk and provide information on how to get a monkeypox vaccine, if necessary.

For more information, visit the Department of Health’s monkeypox website here.