Monkeypox

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a transmissible disease caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms include: fever, headache, chills, exhaustion and/or a rash (can look like pimples or blisters).

• CDC is tracking an outbreak of monkeypox in the United States. View the map of known cases is available here.

How is monkeypox spread?

The monkeypox virus is spreading mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who has monkeypox including:

• Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
• Intimate contact (oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals of a person with monkeypox)
• Hugging, massage, and kissing.
• Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
• A pregnant person can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.

A person with monkeypox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

What is UCCS doing about monkeypox?

Wellness Center Health Services is actively monitoring monkeypox transmission in Colorado and nationally. Health Services has provided additional education for providers and is offering testing for monkeypox to actively enrolled students who are experiencing monkeypox symptoms. Testing is available through Health Services following a telehealth appointment with testing on site at the Wellness Center. Please call 719-255-4444 to schedule an appointment.

Wellness Center providers are available to answer questions about signs and symptoms of monkeypox and can facilitate access to post-exposure vaccine and treatment. Please call 719-255-4444 or email contrac@uccs.edu if you need assistance.

What can I do to protect myself from monkeypox?

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
  • Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
  • Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone 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.
• CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who are at higher risk of being exposed to monkeypox.
• If you have any symptoms of monkeypox, talk to your healthcare provider, even if you don’t think you had contact with someone who has monkeypox.

What other resources can I use to learn more about monkeypox?

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Resources:

• For an overview of Monkeypox in Colorado, a list of testing sites, case counts, vaccine information, and additional resources visit https://cdphe.colorado.gov/diseases-a-to-z/monkeypox#where
• Information for health care providers can be found at https://cdphe.colorado.gov/diseases-a-to-z/monkeypox-resources-for-health-care-providers

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Resources:

• For information on considerations for reducing monkeypox in congregate living settings visit https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/specific-settings/congregate.html
• For overall general information about monkeypox visit https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html
• For information about school settings and monkeypox visit https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/schools/faq.html
• For information on what teens and young adults should know about monkeypox visit https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/teens-young-adults.html