As recent outbreaks of monkeypox have become more and more common, the National Psoriasis Foundation's Medical Board has come together to answer questions that patients and health care providers may have. Read below for special considerations for treating and vaccinating for monkeypox in those living with psoriatic disease.
Q: What is monkeypox?
A: Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. The monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae, the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to smallpox, but milder.
Infections with the type of monkeypox virus identified in this outbreak—the West African type—are rarely fatal, but people with weakened immune systems may be more likely to get severely ill. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.
While monkeypox can infect anyone, most of the recent cases in 2022 have occurred among persons self-identifying as men who have sex with men (MSM). [1, 2]
Q: What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
A: Fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. [3, 4]
If you suspect a patient may have a monkeypox infection, contact your state health department or the CDC Emergency Operations Center (770-488-7100). You should advise the patient to isolate at home while a diagnosis is being confirmed. Clinicians should follow CDC Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control of Monkeypox in Healthcare Settings. [5]
Q: How is monkeypox spread?
A: Monkeypox is spread through skin-to-skin contact. This means it can be contracted through touching an infected persons rash, scabs, or bodily fluids. It can also be spread through items that have touched an infected persons’ rash or bodily fluids. [3, 6]
Q: Are patients with psoriatic disease (psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis) at a higher risk of contracting the monkeypox virus?
A: There is no evidence currently to show that individuals with psoriatic disease are at a higher risk of contracting the monkeypox virus. Individuals who are vaccinated for smallpox may be at reduced risk for monkeypox. [7, 8]
While monkeypox can infect anyone, most of the recent cases in 2022 have occurred among persons self-identifying as men who have sex with men (MSM). [1, 2]