Currently, the risk of Monkey Pox (mpox) infection to the public remains low. Individuals should be aware of the symptoms of mpox and seek medical attention if they experience new, unexplained rashes or skin lesions. Recently identified cases have involved skin lesions in the genital, groin, and anal regions that might be confused with rashes caused by common diseases such as herpes and syphilis. Other early symptoms of mpox include fever, chills and swollen lymph nodes.
Prevention
To prevent the spread of mpox, individuals can:
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact in large crowds where people are wearing minimal clothing (such as nightclubs, festivals, raves, saunas and bathhouses).
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with someone with a new, unexplained rash.
- If you were exposed to mpox or have symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and a new, unexplained rash, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Healthcare providers can provide testing and care for people with mpox.
- If you are sick with mpox, isolate at home until the rash has fully resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed. Mpox is usually a self-limiting infection that does not require hospitalization.
Risk Category by Activity
Risky
Most Risky
- Direct contact with infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
- Sexual or close contact (condoms do not protect against mpox)
More Risky
- Kissing
- Cuddling
- Dancing at a crowded party with minimal clothing
Possible
- Sharing drinks
- Sharing a bed, towels or personal toiletry items
- Dancing at a crowded party fully clothed
Unlikey
- Co-worker to co-worker transmission
- Trying on clothing at a store
- Touching a doorknob
- Traveling in an airport on an airplane
- In a swimming pool, hot tub, or body of water
- In public restrooms or on public transit
- At a grocery store or coffee shop or a gym (via equipment)
Vaccine Information
Metro Health will continue to offer the vaccine against mpox so long as it continues to be made available. More information about mpox and how to prevent infection can be found on the CDC mpox website.
Vaccine Recommendations
It is recommended that you receive the vaccination against mpox if:
- You had known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox.
- You had a sex partner in the past two weeks who was diagnosed with mpox.
- You are a gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men, or are a transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse person who has had any of the following within the past two weeks:
- More than one sex partner.
- Sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse).
- Sex at an event, venue, or in an area (city or county for example) where mpox transmission is occurring.
- You are a gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men or a transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse person who in the past six months has had any of the following:
- A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis).
- More than one sex partner.
- In the past six months:
- You had sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse).
- You had sex at an event, venue, or in an area (city or county for example) where mpox transmission is occurring.
- You have a sex partner who identifies with any of the above scenarios.
- You anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios.
- You work with orthopoxviruses in a laboratory or are part of an orthopoxvirus and health care worker response team.
Get Vaccinated
If you meet the eligibility above and would like to receive a vaccine with Metro Health, you can walk-in at the Metro Health Clinic. Any individual who meets vaccine eligibility and is under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent. Call 210-207-8830 for questions on getting the mpox vaccine.
Metro Health Clinic
512 E. Highland Blvd., Ste. 150
San Antonio, TX 78210
Directions