Monkeypox: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
                     MONKEYPOX: 
CAUSES, 
SYMPTOMS, 
TREATMENT & 
PREVENTION
INTRODUCTION
Monkeypox is a rare disease similar to 
smallpox caused by the monkeypox 
virus. It’s found mostly in areas of 
Africa, but has been seen in other 
regions of the world. 
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by 
the monkeypox virus. It leads to rash 
and flu-like symptoms. Like the better 
known virus that causes smallpox, it’s a 
member of the family called 
orthopoxvirus.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
How common is 
monkeypox?
Monkeypox is rare. But the number of 
cases is increasing in Africa, as well as 
in regions that haven’t seen these 
infections before.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Where else is monkeypox 
found?
For decades, Monkeypox was mostly been seen 
in Africa. However, it’s occasionally found in 
other countries, including the United States. 
In the spring of 2003, the first outbreak of 
monkeypox outside of Africa occurred in the 
U.S. A shipment of infected animals from 
Ghana was imported into Texas. 
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Who does monkeypox 
affect?
Anyone can get monkeypox. In Africa, 
most cases are among children under 15 
years old. 
Outside of Africa, the disease appears to 
be more common in men who have sex 
with men, but there are numerous cases 
in people who don’t fall into that category.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
What are the signs and 
symptoms of monkeypox?
1. Fever.
2. Chills.
3. Headache.
4. Muscle aches.
5. Fatigue.
6. Swollen lymph nodes.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
How do you catch 
monkeypox?
Monkeypox is spread when you come 
into contact with an animal or a person 
infected with the virus. 
Animal-to-person transmission occurs 
through broken skin, like from bites or 
scratches, or through direct contact with 
an infected animal’s blood, bodily fluids 
or pox lesions (sores).
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
How is monkeypox 
diagnosed?
Because monkeypox is rare, a 
healthcare provider may first suspect 
other rash illnesses, such as measles or 
chickenpox. But swollen lymph nodes 
usually distinguish monkeypox from 
other poxes.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
How is monkeypox 
diagnosed cont.
To diagnose monkeypox, your 
healthcare provider takes a tissue 
sample from an open sore (lesion). 
Then, they send it to a lab for 
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing 
(genetic fingerprinting). 
You may also need to give a blood 
sample to check for the monkeypox 
virus or antibodies your immune system 
makes in defense of it.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Is monkeypox curable?
Monkeypox is usually a self-limited 
disease with symptoms lasting from two 
weeks to four weeks. Most people with 
monkeypox get better on their own 
without treatment.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org