Have questions on monkeypox? We requested specialists for solutions

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As if COVID-19, inflation and the financial system weren’t sufficient, the rise in monkeypox instances has given Californians yet one more factor to fret about.

The illness — characterised by a rash and lesions that may appear like pimples, bumps or blisters — primarily spreads by means of extended skin-to-skin contact with these lesions, which can be in hard-to-see locations on the physique or be mistaken for another pores and skin subject. Though hardly ever deadly, the illness will be fairly painful.

Monkeypox has gained a foothold amongst males and transgender individuals within the LGBTQ neighborhood in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being has obtained a restricted variety of doses of monkeypox vaccine from the federal authorities, and is providing them solely to individuals at present deemed in danger.

Proper now, monkeypox instances are “approaching an exponential curve,” mentioned Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious-disease skilled at UC San Francisco. However, for individuals outdoors the affected communities, the danger of catching monkeypox appears to be low in the intervening time. And if present vaccination efforts are profitable, we might be able to wipe out monkeypox. But when it spreads to animals, the illness may grow to be endemic in the USA.

How does monkeypox unfold? How harmful is it? How contagious is it? Can contaminated individuals with no signs move on the illness to others? Can it’s unfold by means of the air? Who can get a vaccine? What can individuals do after they’re absolutely vaccinated? What ought to individuals do to keep away from getting monkeypox?

You will have questions. We requested specialists for solutions.

Have extra inquiries about monkeypox? Ship us an e-mail at utility@latimes.com.