Don’t downplay monkeypox — here’s what you should know

Dr. BCW, Dr. Curry-Winchell, warns the Nevada Independent, Don’t downplay monkeypox — here’s what you should know.

Read the full Nevada Independent article here

Article Snippet:

As cases of monkeypox infections continue to climb across the country, U.S. officials have declared the virus a public health emergency and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a global health emergency. These recent declarations are vital efforts to help increase awareness about this public health threat, as monkeypox has often been downplayed and stigmatized as a disease that can only infect those within the LGBTQ+ community.

This is erroneous. Monkeypox — though usually not fatal — is highly contagious and can be contracted and spread by anyone.

Monkeypox and the vaccine used to prevent it have been around for decades. However, we are now seeing a resurgence of the virus as well as other once-eradicated infectious diseases. The reasons are multi-faceted, including delays in regular health screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic, less access to the monkeypox vaccine, misinformation about the virus, and a general distrust of vaccines.

What it is and isn’t

To combat the spread of monkeypox, it is critical to understand what it is, and is not.

Monkeypox is a virus that can be spread from person-to-person by direct contact with a rash during intimate, skin-to-skin contact or by touching items that have been handled by an infected person. Sharing towels, clothes or drinking cups, as well as kissing, hugging or dancing with someone who has monkeypox, are all possible modes of transmitting the virus.

Monkeypox isn’t just contracted through close, intimate physical contact, though. It is also transmissible through respiratory secretions and droplets. For example, if an infected person who has lesions in their mouth coughs, it is possible for the virus to transmit to others around them….

See what else Dr. Curry-Winchell, has to share as she answers questions for Eat This, Not That as they discuss

Nevada Independent: Don’t downplay monkeypox — here’s what you should know