Metro Inclusive Health has a limited inventory of the monkeypox (MPV) vaccine, which is being offered at our St. Pete and Tampa locations. If you are at-risk for monkeypox and would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (727) 321-3854 (St. Petersburg) or (813) 232-3808 (Tampa). Bookmark this page for future updates.
You’ve heard about it in recent headlines, but you’re still wondering… What exactly is monkeypox? Should I get vaccinated?
First, let’s take look at prevalence in our region. As of publication, there are 633 confirmed cases within the state of Florida, according to the CDC. Many of these cases were identified in South Florida’s Broward and Miami-Dade areas. However, we’ve already seen several cases of monkeypox in Tampa Bay – including both Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.
As an established provider of over 100 programs and services supporting the health and wellness of Tampa Bay residents, Metro Inclusive Health is ready to answer your questions. Here’s what you should know.
The monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. For that reason, it shares some of the same symptoms. However, monkeypox symptoms tend to be milder, and are rarely fatal.
Monkeypox symptoms tend to be visible. A possible monkeypox infection may include a combination the following symptoms:
Swollen lymph nodes are very common, usually preceding rash and accompanying fever
Fevers and/or headaches that appear before a rash
Muscle aches and/or backaches
Chills and/or exhaustion
How do you tell if it’s a monkeypox rash, though? A rash that appears on the palms of the hands and soles of feet could indicate syphilis, monkeypox, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or meningococcal disease.
Lesions are well circumscribed, deep seated, and often develop “umbilication” (basically, a dot may appear on the top of the lesion).
Lesions can be found in relatively the same size and same stage of development on a single site of the body (ex: pustules on face or vesicles on legs).
You’re more likely to find lesions appearing on extremities or on the face.
So, according to the CDC, the monkeypox virus can spread from via direct contact with an infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. Other ways it can spread are through contact with an infected animal, or from parent to child through the placenta.
Exposure could occur in highly crowded areas such as nightclubs, festivals, concerts and raves (indoor or outdoor), but also intimate spaces like a massage parlor, spa or sauna.
Prolonged, face-to-face contact or intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex can also spread the virus through respiratory secretions. Additionally, it could be spread through intimate objects, such as clothing, bedding or sex toys.
Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted infection or disease. Due to the way it is transmitted, however, sex and physical intimacy are higher-risk behaviors.
Monkeypox can be acquired by all people, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, and should be considered a general public health concern. In the case of recent outbreaks in the U.S., the greatest risk has been seen among:
Those who have come into close contact with someone who had a rash that looks like monkeypox or someone who was diagnosed with confirmed or probable monkeypox,
Those who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact with others in a community gathering where a monkeypox outbreak is present,
Those who have traveled outside the US to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where monkeypox activity has been ongoing,
Those who have had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that exists only in Africa or used a product derived from such animals (e.g., game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.).
If you’re showing symptoms of monkeypox, seek treatment to confirm whether or not you have the virus. To be tested, the patient will need to have an appointment with a qualified healthcare provider, like a primary care physician, as it requires an exam and clinical evaluation of the lesion. Metro Inclusive Health offers clinical evaluation through our medical providers. You can inquire about appointments by calling (727) 321-3854.
In order to test for monkeypox, your provider will need to swab an active lesion. Once a sample is collected, it will be sent to a lab for evaluation.
In accordance with recommendations by the CDC, monkeypox vaccines are a priority for individuals who meet the following criteria:
MSM (men that sleep with men)* who have multiple partners, including anonymous sex,
Members of the trans community, particularly trans women, who may be exposed to high-risk situation as identified above,
Health care staff that may be closely exposed to a patient or patients with monkeypox,
Household contacts of people diagnosed with monkeypox.
* Many—though not all—of the reported cases (as of publication) have been among gay and bisexual men, and initial public outreach has been targeted to reach the affected demographic. However, monkeypox can be spread by and to anyone, and identity should not be misunderstood as a cause of diagnosis.
Metro Inclusive Health is has received a very limited number of Monkeypox vaccines from the Florida Department of Health. Availability is dependent on federal and jurisdictional vaccine prioritization and allocation strategy. Bookmark this page for updates on monkeypox availability and distribution by Metro Inclusive Health.
Check out our featured segment on monkeypox with WTSP 10 Tampa Bay or watch below.
Sources: CDC.gov | Florida Department of Health | MPR | NYC Health
Contact scheduling at 727-321-3854 for an appointment or to learn more.
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