Monkeypox
An increasing number of Monkeypox cases have been reported in Scotland. Find out more about the virus in this article.
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection. It mainly occurs in central and west Africa. However since May 2022 some cases have been reported in UK, Europe and other international countries. The risk of catching monkeypox in Scotland currently remains low.
Anyone can get monkeypox. However, currently most of the cases across Europe and the UK have been in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).
For more information, visit the NHS Inform website.
Symptoms of monkeypox
If you're infected with monkeypox, symptoms usually start 5 to 21 days later. The symptoms often get better by themselves over 2 to 4 weeks. Symptoms of monkeypox can include:
- high temperature (fever)
- headache
- flu-like symptoms, including muscle and back aches, shivering and tiredness
- swollen glands that feel like new lumps (in the neck, armpits or groin)
- a blistering rash that usually starts 1 to 5 days after other symptoms – the rash may start on the face or in the genital area and may spread to other parts of the body
The skin lesions (pox) go through 4 phases:
- Flat spots
- Raised spots
- Blisters
- Healing by scabbing or crusting over
Monkeypox rash can sometimes be confused with other diseases that can look similar, like chickenpox. A diagnosis of monkeypox requires an assessment by a health professional and specific testing.
How monkeypox is spread
Monkeypox does not spread very easily between people. However, you can catch monkeypox from close contact with an infected person with monkeypox through:
- touching blisters or scabs and having any skin contact (including sexual contact)
- touching clothes, bedding, towels or personal items used by a person who has a monkeypox rash, blisters or scabs
- coughs or sneezes from a person with monkeypox
How to reduce the spread
To reduce your risk of exposure to monkeypox you should:
- avoid close contact, including sexual contact, with someone who is unwell and may have monkeypox
- avoid touching the clothes, bedding or towels of a person who may have a monkeypox rash
- avoid coughs and sneezes from a person who may have monkeypox
- practice careful hand hygiene if visiting or caring for ill friends and relatives who may have monkeypox
Treating monkeypox
Monkeypox is usually a mild illness. Most people recover in 2 to 4 weeks. However, in some cases if a person is really unwell, they may require hospital treatment in a specialist unit.
As monkeypox is caused by a virus similar to the one that causes smallpox, vaccines designed for smallpox are considered effective in preventing or reducing the severity of monkeypox. Read about vaccination to help protect against monkeypox.
What to do if you're worried you have monkeypox
You should stay home, avoid close contact with others and seek help with medical services via phone until you're assessed.
Phone your GP if:
- you think that you may have monkeypox
- you've been in close contact with someone who might have monkeypox
If your GP is closed, phone 111. In an emergency phone 999.
Phone your local sexual health clinic if:
You have genital lesions (for example a blister or sore) and:
- you think that you may have monkeypox
- you've been in close contact with someone who might have monkeypox
If your sexual health clinic is closed, phone your GP. If your GP is closed, phone 111. In an emergency phone 999. Find your local sexual health clinic
What to do if you have monkeypox and have been told to self-isolate
If you have monkeypox, your doctor or a health protection specialist will advise you to self-isolate at home. This will help prevent the spread of infection.
You'll have been provided with contact details of a medical team and you should contact them if you have any concerns. Get medical attention quickly if your illness is worsening. In an emergency, phone 999 and tell the call handler or operator that you have monkeypox infection.
