Monkeypox for Nurse Practitioners - Part 1
Aug 10, 2022
**ERROR UPDATE** I mistakenly said that cotton swabs can be used but it's ONLY synthetic swabs for monkeypox testing!! Link for testing instructions here: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/pdf/MPoxTestingPatients.pdf
Monkeypox was declared a global outbreak by the World Health Organization in May of 2022. Monkeypox has been confusing and scary for patients and providers alike, especially on the heels of the Covid pandemic that we’re still facing. The World Health Organization named it a public health emergency and global outbreak, as has the CDC, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s as scary as it sounds.
At the time of this episode, there have been about 7,000 cases in the United States, predominantly in patients who are cis-male and have sex with other cis-males (MSM), although this is a virus that can affect any patient. It’s not sexually transmitted, as has been reported in the news (misinformation).
Even though any person can be infected with monkeypox, we need to make sure that the most vulnerable populations are getting the access to care, education, and support they need-- at the current time means especially our patients who are men who have sex with men.
It’s extremely important to educate yourself and your patients about what monkeypox is and what it isn’t-- stigma about symptoms, testing and treatment are what contribute to the spread of outbreaks. Learn more about monkeypox in this week’s episode.
Monkeypox Overview for Nurse Practitioners
In this episode, we cover:
- Key background information you need to know
- Symptoms & Diagnosis
- Transmission of Monkeypox & Infection control
- Differential Diagnosis
- Approach to testing
- Overview of treatment
Next week’s episode will focus on the details of treatment so you feel more well informed, as well as a bonus episode that’s specifically for patient education.
Check out the links we referenced in this episode for images of monkeypox on a variety of skin tones and stages, and link to phone numbers of the departments of public health by state.
👉 Department of public health numbers
👉 Further information from the CDC for medical providers is here
If you liked this post, also check out:
- Syphilis Laboratory Diagnosis for New Nurse Practitioners
- HSV Diagnosis for New Nurse Practitioners
- Acute Diarrhea Diagnosis for New Nurse Practitioners Part 2
Accessibility Matters: Read The Transcript Here
