This is serious monkey business. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global public health emergency, and not just for the LGBTQ+ community. Monkeypox is detrimental to us all. Head inside to check out some preventative tips to keep you safe.

The number of confirmed cases of monkeypox, a virus related to smallpox generally limited to Africa, is growing in Europe and North America. As of Friday July 29, there were over 5,189 reported cases in the U.S.

The recent outbreak prompted the WHO to declare a global health emergency last Saturday. Monkeypox is said to be less deadly than smallpox, lasting for two to four weeks. Symptoms can appear anywhere from five to 21 days after the infection.

Health professionals across the world stress that the risk to the general population is far lower than what we have faced with coronavirus. However, they warn citizens that it is important to know how monkeypox spreads and what you may do to protect yourself from infection.

One of the common misconceptions most people are sharing online is that monkeypox is spread solely as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), which is far from the truth. The discourse has caused many people to assume that the infection is spreading amongst the LGBTQ+ communities, which is also false.

Knee-jerk reaction in communications about monkeypox have drawn some parallels to the early days of the AIDS epidemic. While its not too late to correct the misinfomration and growing stigma associated with monkeypox infection, care must be taken in how public health officials and government agencies talk about the disease. Monkeypox can be spread through skin to skin contact, but it’s not the only way to come in contact with the infection.

#monkeypox is transmitted via SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT – it’s NOT a sexually transmitted infection (skin to skin contact occurs during sex)

monkeypox is NOT restricted to men who have sex with (multiple) men

THIS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE REPORTING @WHO stop slut-shaming queer men https://t.co/ZeKI9qfhNX

— Claudia Astorino (@claudistics) July 23, 2022

It seems that the world is lost when it comes to impending diseases and infections affecting the general population. Society can’t be defined by its ignorance. Instead, let’s educate ourselves to continue to remain safe.

Check out these tips to stay safe and protected against monkeypox (for all people, not just the queer community):

Keep yourself & your community safe:
Avoid attending gatherings if you have #monkeypox or show signs of the disease. Contact your health provider
Avoid close contact, incl. sexual contact, with someone who has symptoms
Learn how monkeypox might be affecting your community pic.twitter.com/4Aa6orSbbG

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) June 28, 2022

Kids, monkey pox is serious. Do not, I repeat DO NOT try clothes on in stores. Do not wear clothes that you bought without washing them first.

— Harriet Thee Thugman (@Wicked_Womanist) July 19, 2022

How monkeypox spreads:

I’m concerned that labeling #monkeypox a sexually transmitted infection (STI) will cause confusion & delay () in public response. It’s transmitted most often by direct skin-to-skin contact w/ the rash (see the whole list of ways it spreads from CDC ), and sex includes … 1/ pic.twitter.com/fJOob81hnc

— Tatiana Prowell, MD (@tmprowell) July 24, 2022

Here’s what to look out for:

#Monkeypox can spread in different ways, such as person to person through direct contact with infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids, or respiratory droplets during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact. Learn more: https://t.co/rLdwnOMvsZ. pic.twitter.com/575jW6XiB7

— CDC (@CDCgov) July 22, 2022

Obviously, we are not the CDC or WHO. Please visit their websites for updated information.

 

SEE ALSO: 

Monkeypox: What You Need To Know About The Rising Disease

New Study Finds Increased Risk Of Breast Cancer In Black Women Exposed To Parabens

Study Shows Racism Is A Major Factor In Premature Births Among Black Women

The post Framing Monkeypox As A ‘Gay Issue’ Ignores Growing Global Public Health Emergency: Check Out Tips To Stay Safe appeared first on NewsOne.