Early last year, I mentioned that Monkeypox could be a potential concern in our hobby. Now, the disease is spreading across multiple continents and making its way around the world. This isn’t an “I told you so” post; it’s more of a “watch out before you catch it” update.
Recently, Monkeypox has been making headlines almost daily, being recognized as a rising health threat with more cases emerging globally. On August 14th, the World Health Organization declared Monkeypox a global emergency, following the detection of cases in Europe, the United States, and Africa. Just recently, seven cases were reported in Clark County, Las Vegas—home to many providers who travel across the country.
I’m writing this because, even though the symptoms of Monkeypox are fairly noticeable, the disease has a long incubation period. It can last from 6 to 13 days or even 5 to 21 days, meaning you could carry the disease for up to half a month without showing any symptoms.
When symptoms do appear, they typically include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that often begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. While Monkeypox is similar to smallpox, it is generally less severe. The fatality rate ranges from 1% to 10%, depending on the strain and the patient’s access to healthcare.
Realistically, there is no foolproof way to prevent getting Monkeypox in this hobby. Besides getting vaccinated, the nature of our hobby involves close contact, which is a major transmission route for the disease. Since you can’t always know if a provider is infected, it’s crucial to use your best judgment. The best preventive measure you can take is to ensure you’re in good health and not carrying the disease yourself. This may be the most effective way to help prevent Monkeypox from spreading within our community and beyond.
Stay safe and vigilant, Pervs!
Recently, Monkeypox has been making headlines almost daily, being recognized as a rising health threat with more cases emerging globally. On August 14th, the World Health Organization declared Monkeypox a global emergency, following the detection of cases in Europe, the United States, and Africa. Just recently, seven cases were reported in Clark County, Las Vegas—home to many providers who travel across the country.I’m writing this because, even though the symptoms of Monkeypox are fairly noticeable, the disease has a long incubation period. It can last from 6 to 13 days or even 5 to 21 days, meaning you could carry the disease for up to half a month without showing any symptoms.
When symptoms do appear, they typically include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that often begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. While Monkeypox is similar to smallpox, it is generally less severe. The fatality rate ranges from 1% to 10%, depending on the strain and the patient’s access to healthcare.
Realistically, there is no foolproof way to prevent getting Monkeypox in this hobby. Besides getting vaccinated, the nature of our hobby involves close contact, which is a major transmission route for the disease. Since you can’t always know if a provider is infected, it’s crucial to use your best judgment. The best preventive measure you can take is to ensure you’re in good health and not carrying the disease yourself. This may be the most effective way to help prevent Monkeypox from spreading within our community and beyond.
Stay safe and vigilant, Pervs!
