Monkeypox is spreading in Texas. Here’s what you need to know about causes, symptoms and treatment.

Monkeypox isn’t thought of a sexually transmitted an infection as a result of it’s not transmitted solely by way of intercourse. It’s most simply unfold by way of contact with the lesions which can be attributable to the virus. As a result of skin-to-skin contact happens throughout intercourse, it typically is handed alongside throughout sexual exercise.

However it could additionally journey by way of respiratory droplets whereas kissing. And it may be contracted by touching surfaces, clothes and bedding contaminated by secretions from an contaminated individual or the fluid or scab tissue from lesions.

The virus is taken into account to be contagious when signs present up till the scabs fall off of lesions and new pores and skin grows.

As a result of monkeypox isn’t an STI, it’s not prevented reliably with condoms or abstinence. It isn’t, nonetheless, an airborne illness and is tough to move to others by way of informal contact.

The present circumstances, to this point, have largely been associated to the kind of contact that happens throughout intercourse and are amongst individuals who have had sexual encounters, in line with specialists.

Informal contact like handshakes and even sharing meals can carry the potential for transmission, however the threat and possibilities of that taking place are extraordinarily low and usually are not the reason for the circumstances within the present outbreak, stated Dr. Jennifer Shuford, chief state epidemiologist.

Well being officers are advising males who’ve intercourse with males to take additional precautions as a result of, to this point, that’s who has nearly solely been impacted. However anybody will be contaminated, and specialists consider the virus is prone to more and more unfold past that demographic.