Monkeypox

Patients Should Be Screened with Quality Molecular-Based Monkeypox Testing

On July, 23 2022, the WHO Director-General declared the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). As of September 27, 2022, there have been 25,341 confirmed cases within the United States and 66,551 total cases around the world.

How is monkeypox spread?

Spread between people and animals through close or intimate contact,
including:

Personal, often skin-to-skin contact
Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox
Touching objects, fabrics, and surfaces that have been used by someone with
monkeypox
Contact with respiratory secretions

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms occur within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus and can last for 2-4 weeks. Symptoms include:

Flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, aches)
Swollen lymph nodes
Respiratory symptoms
Rash (1-4 days after flu-like symptoms)

Who should get tested?

Those who have a rash consistent with monkeypox

What should I expect from the IGx monkeypox test?

Your healthcare provider will take swabs from lesions of your rash
This is done through vigorous rubbing accross the lesions using real time PCR tests from the Certest Kit
Results are available within 24 hours upon receipt to the lab

What do my results mean?

Positive: Take the necessary steps to protect yourself and others until you have completely recovered from your infection
Negative: The negative result means the test did not detect the virus and you probably do not have monkeypox. Continue to take steps to protect yourself and others
Inconclusive: Your test will need to be conducted again because not enough of the specimen was taken

Are vaccines available?

Yes! In the United States, there are 2 available vaccines:

The JYNNEOS vaccine is given as a two-dose series
The ACAM2000 vaccine is an alternative to the JYNNEOS vaccine and is given by multiple pricks to the skin using a special needle