Monkeypox is a rare infection that’s mainly found in parts of west or central Africa. There have been some recent cases in the UK, but the risk of catching it is low.
It is usually caught rom infected rodents (such as rats, mice and squirrels). But, it can spread from person to person through:
a) touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with the monkeypox rash,
b) touching monkeypox skin blisters or scabs (including during sex), or
c) the coughs or sneezes of a person with the monkeypox rash.
Monkeypox usually takes between 5 and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear. The main symptom is a rash but there are others. But, it is usually mild and most people recover within a few weeks without treatment.
Though anyone can get monkeypox, you’re unlikely to have it if:
1) you have not been in close contact (such as touching their skin or sharing bedding) with someone who has monkeypox or has monkeypox symptoms, or
2) you have not recently travelled to west or central Africa.
For more information about monkeypox, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/monkeypox/