Fridae

I'm not a doctor. I've got the white coat for role-plays, obviously, but there's a lot of people who are a lot more qualified than I am who you should be listening to when it comes to your health.

Make sure you're getting your updates and insights from experts who are informed and know what they're talking about.

But one of the things that is on our radar is a small outbreak of Monkeypox.

There's been a lot of media coverage about this but it is only a small outbreak - around 40 identified cases. Cases have been detected in the UK, Spain, and Portugal.

What's interesting is that transmission seems to be happening during sexual contact, and the cases identified so far seem to be in men who have sex with men.

What is Monkeypox?

The name "monkeypox" comes from the first documented cases of the illness, in 1958, when two outbreaks occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research.

But monkeys aren't major carriers. Instead, the virus is generally spread by squirrels, pouched rats, dormice or another rodent.

How do you catch Monkeypox?

Primarily, from an animal bite, scratch or contact with the animal's bodily fluid. Then the virus can spread to other people through coughing and sneezing or contact with pus from the lesions.

The lesions from monkeypox are similar to those from a smallpox infection.

It's previously been thought that transmission of Monkeypox between people was a very low risk.

But, now it is transmitting between people, which is something that health experts are keeping a close eye on.

How dangerous is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox can be a nasty illness - it causes fever, body aches, enlarged lymph nodes and, eventually, painful, fluid-filled blisters on the face, hands and feet. One version of monkeypox is quite deadly and kills up to 10% of people infected. The version currently being detected from this UK cluster is milder. Its fatality rate is less than 1%. A case generally resolves in two to four weeks.

What should I do if I think I might have been exposed to Monkeypox?

If you notice any unusual rashes or lesions, and you think you might have been exposed to the virus through sexual contact, then contact your local sexual health service for advice.