AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta College Well being confirmed our space’s first case of monkeypox Monday.

Whereas well being officers say there’s not a neighborhood outbreak, the state of Georgia is ranked fifth within the nation for instances.

The CDC says Georgia has over 950 instances. South Carolina is ranked 26th with over 60.

Listed below are signs well being officers say to observe for and what the method appears like when you catch monkeypox.

Docs at Augusta College say most confirmed instances may have flu-like signs. That will likely be fever, complications, chills, muscle aches, and a rash.

They are saying this isn’t one thing to be instantly involved about, however they need everybody to know what to look out for in order that medical doctors can assist individuals who could also be contaminated.

Augusta College’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Phillip Coule, says this illness doesn’t pose an instantaneous threat for everybody.

“We’re seeing instances happen within the Augusta space now,” he mentioned. “It’s vital to know that anybody can get monkeypox, however significantly males having intercourse with males is a way more at-risk group, significantly for the present outbreak.”

There are issues that well being professionals say it’s best to do. This illness has distinctive traits.

Coule says folks sometimes have flu-like signs after which get a rash. For those who get a rash or have flu signs, it’s probably not monkeypox.

“Most individuals don’t want to fret if they’ve a bump come up and begin questioning is that this monkeypox or a pimple,” mentioned Coule.

You do not want to go to the hospital when you have it as a result of most individuals don’t want therapy. They need you to name your physician to allow them to begin contact tracing.

For those who do have monkeypox, medical doctors say it’s best to isolate for 14 days or extra, and the lesions need to be fully scabbed over to not be infectious.

“Anybody can get monkeypox, and it’s vital to not stigmatize this illness as solely being in that specific affected person inhabitants, however for almost all of individuals it means the chance is decrease,” he mentioned.

To get monkeypox, you need to have direct, intense contact with physique fluids or pores and skin lesions most often. You will get it by respiration when you’re inside six toes for greater than three hours, but it surely’s an especially low threat.

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