Monkeypox Information & Resources
The first case of monkeypox in Arkansas was identified in July 2022. Pat Walker Health Center can perform a specimen collection from lesions to send through Quest for a monkeypox virus test to determine if a patient is infected with the virus. Test results take 2-3 days to come back. Washington County Health Unit also offers testing in our area.
Pat Walker Health Center has a limited supply of the Monkeypox vaccine and it will only be administered with an order from a provider. If you are already established with a provider at PWHC, please contact that provider/nurse team lead. If you have not established care with a provider at PWHC, please schedule an appointment with a provider for further evaluation.
Transmission
- Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:
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- Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
- Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
- Monkeypox is NOT spread through casual, brief conversations or walking by someone with monkeypox, like at a grocery store.
See the CDC information on how monkeypox spreads.
Signs & Symptoms
Initial Symptoms of monkeypox can include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Exhaustion
- Muscle aches and backache
- Headache
- Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
- A rash that may be located on or near the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, the genitals
(penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus.
- The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
- The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
- Rash develops in over 90% of cases/infections
You may experience all or only a few symptoms.
- Sometimes, people have flu-like symptoms before the rash.
- Some people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms.
- Others only experience a rash.
How long do monkeypox symptoms last?
Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.
Monkeypox can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
See the CDC information with photos.
Treatment
Pre and post exposure vaccination and anti-viral medications are currently being facilitated through the Arkansas Department of Health in conjunction with our local health units for HIGH-RISK GROUPS. These options are currently in limited supply and only being used in select populations and in groups where outbreaks have been identified.
Pat Walker Health Center has a limited supply of the Monkeypox vaccine and it will only be administered with an order from a provider. If you are already established with a provider at PWHC, please contact that provider/nurse team lead. If you have not established care with a provider at PWHC, please schedule an appointment with a provider for further evaluation.
- The Jynneos Vaccine is a 2-dose series given 4 weeks/28 days apart. It is a weakened live virus that will be given 0.1 mg intradermally on the inner aspect of the patient’s forearm.
- Patients will NOT be able to schedule online due to a provider/nurse team lead needing to screen to see if you meet criteria.
The ADH's criteria for pre-exposure vaccination (PrEP):
- Men who have sex with men who:
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- Have had multiple sex partners within the past year, OR
- Engage in anonymous or group sex, including with those contacted online or through apps OR
- Engage in sex at venues or events, OR
- Are living with HIV
- Anyone, including women, who has a partner that meets the criteria above.
- Anyone diagnosed with any sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the last month.
- Anyone who has had skin-to-skin contact with someone known or suspected to have monkeypox within the last 14 days.
- Anyone whose medical provider recommends they get the JYNNEOS vaccine.
The CDC currently recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed (PEP++) to a known monkeypox case and those deemed to be at increased risk to contract monkeypox. Current vaccination criteria is:
- High-risk exposure (close/intimate contact) to someone with known or probable monkeypox within last 14 days
- High-risk encounter (sex, very close contact) in a setting/event where monkeypox reported to be spread, even if person doesn’t have a known exposure
Pat Walker Health Center is in coordination with the Arkansas Department of Health regarding vaccinations.
Monkeypox call-line: 1-800-803-7847
Things you can do to protect yourself from getting monkeypox:
- Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
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- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
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Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person 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.