Monkeypox cases are on the rise in the Philadelphia region as outbreaks of the virus have been expanding across the globe. Monkeypox is a viral disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, though milder and rarely fatal. The virus spreads primarily through close, sustained physical contact with other people who have the virus. Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion. Many people with monkeypox also develop rashes, blisters, or lesions on the skin. The current global outbreak of monkeypox is disproportionately impacting gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men.

For this month’s “Doctor Is In” webinar, we’ll learn about monkeypox and the precautions we can take to protect against the virus. We will also discuss the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of monkeypox. While there does remain a shortage of available vaccines in Philadelphia (and nationwide), we will also review the current guidelines for vaccinations.

Additional resources related to Monkeypox:

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has released a Fact Sheet about Monkeypox – Read Here

Monkeypox vaccination update from Philadelphia Department of Public Health – Read Here