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Where Can You Get Monkeypox?

Where you can get monkeypox
The virus spreads mainly through contact, so sex with a casual partner is the main risk. But there are other risky activities as well.

Sexual contacts
Unlike COVID-19, contracting the monkeypox virus is not easy. This is why most infections occur through very close contact over a longer period of time, such as through sexual intercourse. Experts say that up to now about 94% of monkeypox cases have been among men who have sex with men, but this does not guarantee that this will always be the case. It can also spread to other social groups with which the infected person is in close contact.

Non-sexual contact
Random forms of physical contact do not yet appear to be central to the spread of the monkeypox virus. Less than 1% of people infected with monkeypox worldwide contracted the virus through “non-sexual contact”, according to the study. This means that public places such as restaurants, cinemas or concerts are unlikely to pose much of a risk. Casual contact can be anything: shaking someone's hand, touching a doorknob, or putting on clothes worn by an infected person. In any case, the risk of infection is always lower with greater distance between people and less skin-to-skin contact.

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Main symptoms of infection
The main symptom of monkeypox is a rash that appears as raised lesions on the skin. A patient may have only one or several lesions at a time. To date, at least 95% of people with monkeypox have developed skin lesions, according to scientists. Most monkeypox lesions are usually painless, with the exception of marks in the genital area, which can be very difficult to manage. You should see a doctor if you develop new lesions anywhere on your body.

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And other symptoms
You should also contact your doctor if you experience other symptoms associated with monkeypox, such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, or body aches. These flu-like symptoms usually begin four or five days before the rash appears. Some people may never have them at all. Monkeypox testing usually involves swabs of at least one or two skin lesions. If you think you have flu-like symptoms of monkeypox but no rash, it's best not to jump to conclusions until you've been tested. Experts advise temporarily avoiding risky contacts with others. (READ MORE) The Health Site

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