What To Watch For As Monkeypox Makes Its Way to Another Texas City

UPDATE 7/20/22, 9:24AM: Less than 24 hours after this article's publication, the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District has reported Central Texas' first case of monkeypox.

Health District officials say they're conducting a contact investigation, and say the infected person is a woman with "no known travel or exposure to other cases".

You'll find a list of symptoms and suggestions on how to avoid contracting this disease below. Be careful out there, Central Texas.

Texas has definitely experienced its fair share of disasters in the last couple of years -COVID-19, winter storms, and now monkeypox. According to Tom Handy, a Newsbreak Contributor, monkeypox seems to be on the move in the Lone Star State.

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Texas has definitely gotten the bad end of that stick. Monkeypox has traveled as far as having cases in Dallas and Austin, which is extremely too close for comfort when thinking about Central Texas.

Now San Antonio, our second largest city, is feeling the monkey business too. San Antonio Metro Health Director Claude A. Jacob said the virus isn't easily spread from person to person without direct contact and risk to the public is low.

With many people still in a pandemic mindset and the virus spreading to other cities, you can't blame some of us for being a little worried.

HOW DOES THIS DISEASE SPREAD?

According to the San Antonio Metro Health District, the disease is spread through skin-to-skin contact, specially with a rash, scab, or bodily fluid of someone who has the disease. They emphasize that it can be spread via sexual activity and touching someone's genitals, but it can also be picked up by touching objects, fabrics, or surfaces that have been used by someone who's infected. It can also be spread by respiratory secretions.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

According to the CDC, symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, muscle and back aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion.

The most notable symptom is a rash that can look like pimples or blisters appearing on the face, in the mouth, and on other parts of the body such as hands, feet, the chest, the genitals, and the anus. The CDC reports that most people experience this rash first, followed by the other symptoms. These can appear one or two weeks after infection, and take two to four weeks to pass.

What Should I Do If I Think I Have Monkeypox?

The CDC recommends you see a doctor immediately if you suspect you have the virus, and that you avoid close contact with other people and animals until you're tested and, if positive, stay isolated until the rash has healed, scabs have fallen away naturally, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.

Be safe out there, Central Texas.