Monkeypox Testing

MONKEYPOX Virus
Monkeypox has been declared as a public health emergency as of August 4, 2022 in United States.

We are testing at all of our locations. Walk-in, call our office or schedule an online appointment.

The test will be done at curbside in the car. The results will be available in 2-4 days.

The Monkeypox Virus test is a PCR test of the rash or lesion. If you do not have a rash, or an oral or anal lesions, we will not be able to do the test.

MONKEYPOX VIRUS: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Monkeypox has an incubation period of 1-3 weeks. That means that if a person is exposed today, it may take 1-3 weeks to start developing symptoms. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

After 1-2 weeks, a prodrome of fever, body aches, and lymphadenopathy, occur. These symptoms are followed by a PASTULAR OR VESICULAR RASH, that begins in the trunk and spreads to the extremities. The rash also affects palms and soles.
Keep in mind: Prodrome symptoms may or may not occur, and may happen after the rash had began.

About 40% of the time, oral and anal mucosal involvement is seen, which can lead to pharyngitis, epiglottitis, proctitis, urethritis, balanitis, etc., and is usually painful rashes.

Monkeypox is spread by direct contact with the rash, scabs, touching objects that have been touched by someone with monkeypox, or through respiratory secretions.

Currently, incidences of Monkeypox are most common amongst homosexual men and the transmission happens through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual intercourse. Persons with HIV infection are at high risk of progression to severe disease, Especially if their HIV is not controlled well by medications.

TREATMENT

There is no specific treatment for the Monkeypox virus. TECOVIRIMAT (TPOXX) is an investigational antiviral that has been shown to decrease the duration of the course of monkeypox disease. TPOXX is approved for compassionate use by CDC.

It is only recommended for immunocompromised patients at risk of progression to severe disease, for pediatric patients, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those with severe secondary infections.

Other treatments include Vaccinia Immune globulin intravenous (VIGIV) for severe disease in hospitalized patients.

VACCINATION

Vaccination is recommended after EXPOSURE up to 2 weeks. Currently it is only done by department of health for selected groups. Vaccination is not offered to the general population at the moment.

Vaccination after ONSET OF SYMPTOMS is not recommended.

More information here https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox