Heard about monkeypox?
London Borough of Brent sent this bulletin at 30-05-2022 05:28 PM BST
You may have heard about monkeypox in the news recently. But what is it, what are the symptoms and how can you access help and information?
Monkeypox is a rare illness caused by the monkeypox virus and one of the symptoms is a rash that is sometimes confused with chickenpox. It is usually associated with travel to Central or West Africa but cases have been occurring in England with no travel links.
Monkeypox can be spread when someone comes into close contact with an infected person. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or through the eyes, nose or mouth.
If you get infected with monkeypox, it usually takes between five and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.
A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash changes and goes through different stages – a bit like chicken pox – before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.
The virus can spread if there is close contact between people through:
· touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with the monkeypox rash
· touching monkeypox skin blisters or scabs
· the coughs or sneezes of a person with the monkeypox rash
Anyone with concerns that they could be infected should see a health professional, but make contact ahead of a visit. NHS 111 can also give advice.
Until further notice, access to our sexual health and contraceptive services is via telephone assessment. There will be NO walk-in (non-appointment) clinics.
To make an appointment in Brent, call 020 8453 2221 Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8.45am to 5.45pm, Wednesdays from 10.30am to 5.45pm, and Fridays from 8.45am to 4.45pm. Or email: lnwh-tr.PCCGENERAL@nhs.net providing your mobile number.
Please ring or email to schedule a telephone consultation and a member of staff will return your call. Please DO NOT come into a clinic unless you have been advised to do so after a telephone consultation. If it is advised that you need to attend clinic, an appointment will be made for you.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is investigating the recent cases in England. A notable proportion of early cases detected have been in in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, so UKHSA is urging this community in particular to be alert to any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay.
For further information there is a UKHSA blog at: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2022/05/24/information-on-monkeypox-and-our-investigation-into-recent-cases/ and regular updates will be posted at www.gov.uk/government/news/monkeypox-cases-confirmed-in-england-latest-updates
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