---- July 22nd, 2022 ----

How to have a Hot Summer while preventing Monkeypox

Having multiple sex partners, especially those whom you do not know well, may increase your chances of exposure to monkeypox. Limiting the number of sex partners may reduce the possibility of exposure.
Masturbate together at a distance without touching each other, or have virtual sex without in-person contact.
Consider having sex with your clothes on or covering areas where rash is present, reducing as much skin-to-skin contact as possible. If the rash is confined to the genitals or anus, condoms may help; however, condoms alone are likely not enough to prevent monkeypox.
Wear a well-fitted mask indoors and crowded spaces like parties, raves, or clubs
Avoid touching your own rashes to prevent spreading to other parts of your body which may delay healing.
Remember to wash your hands, fetish gear, sex toys and any fabrics (bedding, towels, clothing) after having sex.

Don't let monkeypox interfere with your summer plans. Check out some more tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

REMINDER

People of any sexual orientation and gender identity can get and spread monkeypox. We should avoid stigmatizing a particular group, and rather support those at highest risk and ensure that all communities remain vigilant.

HELPFUL LINKS

Monkeypox Info

Monkeypox Vaccine

Monkeypox FAQs

Monkeypox SF Cases

Monkeypox Outreach Toolkit

For SF Healthcare Providers

CDC Monkeypox Info

COMMUNICATE

Talk to your friends and partners about any new rashes, or ask how they are feeling about monkeypox.

What are your boundaries?
What do you think your risks are?
Help each other find testing and/or vaccination if that works for you.

Save and Post

WATCH: 5 Things Sexually Active People Need to Know about Monkeypox (CDC)

Testing

Testing is for people who develop symptoms (a rash or sores).

If you have a rash, or spots, your heathcare provider or a clinic can test you for monkeypox. They will rub a swab on the spots and send the swab to a lab for testing.

Your healthcare provider may also do blood tests at the same time. We run a blood test to look for infections that can look similar to monkeypox, like syphilis.

While you are waiting for your test results you should:

Stay home and away from other people.
Don't use public transportation.
Get in touch with people you've had sex or close contact with and ask them to get tested.

Treatment

Most people get well from monkeypox without needing any medicines or other treatment.

There is no medicine that the FDA has approved for monkeypox infection treatment.

However, there is one medicine that is used for severe monkeypox, called tecovirimat, or TPOXX. It is allowed as an “investigation” drug for special circumstances for people who have severe monkeypox.

Right now, SFDPH has a limited supply of TPOXX pills available. Talk to your doctor if you think you might need TPOXX because of a special condition or severe disease.

If you need TPOXX, your doctor will work with the health department, or other providers to get you TPOXX.

If you do not have a healthcare provider, or can't get an appointment, go to either:

SF City Clinic at 7th Street San Francisco (628-217-6600), or
Strut at 470 Castro Street (415-581-1600)

Vaccine Eligibility as of 7/20

Gay, bisexual, and other men or trans people who have sex with men, who have had more than 1 sexual partner in the past 14 days.

Sex workers of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

Persons who have had close contact within the past 14 days with someone with suspected or confirmed monkeypox.

Persons who had close contact with others at a venue or event or within a social group in the past 14 days where a suspected or confirmed monkeypox case was identified. This includes persons who received notice from a venue or event of a potential exposure within the past 14 days.

Laboratory workers who routinely perform monkeypox virus testing.

Clinicians who have had a high-risk occupational exposure (e.g., examined monkeypox lesions or collected monkeypox specimens without using recommended personal protective equipment)

Visit https://sf.gov/information/monkeypox-vaccine for updates regarding monkeypox vaccine supply, eligibility, and locations.

Need Support?

We want to support our local communities in San Francisco. Contact the SFDPH Monkeypox Community Team to request more information on monkeypox for your organization or community group (Se habla español). If you want to partner and/or host an informational meeting or Town Hall event, you can email us at mpx@sfdph.org.

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