University Park, Pennsylvania – The Pennsylvania Department of Health has confirmed that a student at the University of Pennsylvania University Park Campus tested positive for monkeypox on August 13. The patient lives off campus, is being seen by a healthcare provider, is currently in isolation and is recovering.

University Health Services (UHS), the student affairs arm of Pennsylvania State University, has contacted and is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to continue monitoring the case. Close contacts of the student were identified and notified through contract tracing conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Monkeypox is a viral infection that is spread primarily through prolonged close contact. It’s not a sexually transmitted disease. Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. To date, no deaths from monkeypox virus have been reported in the United States. In most cases, monkeypox goes away on its own without prescription drugs.

Monkeypox often begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, and general discomfort and fatigue. Usually within 1 to 3 days of her onset of fever, the patient first develops a rash on her face, although rashes may first appear on other parts of the body.

Due to the current U.S. virus outbreak that began in the spring of 2022, universities are urging students to take precautions against monkeypox, self-isolate, and contact UHS or their healthcare providers if they develop symptoms. Students can also call the Advice Nurse 24/7 at 814-865-4UHS (4847) and press 3.

contagion and prevention

Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and can be transmitted through non-sexual contact. It can affect everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Mainly following he spreads in four ways.

• Direct contact with monkeypox rashes, crusts, or bodily fluids.
• Direct contact with respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact such as kissing, hugging or sex.
• Direct contact with objects or fabrics that have previously come into contact with the rash or bodily fluids of a monkeypox patient.
• Scratched or bitten by an infected animal.

The virus is contagious from the time symptoms begin until the rash has completely healed and a new layer of skin has formed, which can take 2-4 weeks.

To protect against monkeypox, students and others should avoid close skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has a monkeypox-like rash.

• Do not touch the rash or scabs of monkeypox patients.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle, or have sex with someone who has monkeypox.
• Do not share utensils or cups with monkeypox patients.
• Do not handle or touch a monkeypox patient’s bedding, towels, or clothing.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

What to do if you have monkeypox

UHS encourages University Park students who develop symptoms of monkeypox to schedule an appointment with UHS or call the 24/7 Advice Nurse at 814-865-4UHS (4847) and press 3 I advise you to Provider for next steps and testing. Students with active rashes or symptoms should self-isolate at home and stay in a separate room away from other people and pets as much as possible.

Faculty members with monkeypox symptoms should stay home from work and contact their health care provider for testing and other next steps. Employees who have tested positive should be quarantined at home away from other people in their household and arranged to work remotely if possible or take advantage of sick time until the quarantine period is over. there is.

Anyone who may have been in contact with a monkeypox patient should closely monitor their health, monitor their symptoms, and contact UHS or a health care provider to make an appointment if they develop symptoms.

In most cases, monkeypox goes away on its own without prescription drugs. In some cases, prescription drugs may be recommended based on the location and severity of the rash, or if the patient has other conditions that compromise the immune system. It may be available for people and people at high risk of contracting monkeypox.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health oversees the supply of monkeypox vaccine and coordinates vaccination distribution to ensure that the vaccine is accessible to those who need it most.