Times Weekly, Web Staff

As monkeypox case counts continue to rise in the U.S., health officials are urging a state of awareness—but not panic—regarding the disease.

According to the CDC, anyone who has a rash that looks like it could be monkeypox—i.e., small pimples or blisters—should contact their health care provider, even if they aren’t aware of any close contact with another infected person.

To further avoid monkeypox infection, people should avoid contact with anyone who may have the virus, as well as any materials or surfaces they may have touched. It’s also important to practice good hygiene—handwashing, cleaning surfaces—and isolate from or wear personal protective equipment around infected people.

Because the highest concentration of monkeypox cases right now are among men who have sex with men—though monkeypox is not a sexually-transmitted illness—the CDC has also issued guidance for safer sex practices during the monkeypox situation, including having virtual sex and limiting the number of partners to help reduce the spread.

Though monkeypox is typically self-limiting—meaning it can clear up on its own—the disease is still considered contagious until monkeypox lesions and scabs have completely healed, and a new layer of skin has formed over the affected areas. This can take about two to four weeks, the CDC said—during which time contact and sharing items should be avoided. Seen in Healthy Living