Happy Pride Month! As we eagerly await Pride this weekend, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment wants to share an important message with our community members regarding the monkeypox virus. As new cases occur across the country and in Colorado, case trends suggest men who have sex with men and people who have recently traveled to areas with monkeypox cases are at higher risk.
Monkeypox can begin with flu-like symptoms and a rash or skin bumps that develop within one to three days after. While flu-like symptoms do not always occur, rash or skin bumps have been common among all cases. Monkeypox can look like syphilis, herpes, blisters, or even acne, so be sure to get checked out if you develop a new rash or bumps. It is spread through close, physical contact with an infected individual’s skin, clothing, or bedding, including sexual contact. Though dangerous, this disease is rarely fatal and can most often be treated with supportive care.
If you have been exposed to or are experiencing symptoms of monkeypox, please contact your doctor and avoid physical contact with others. For further information, please visit CDPHE’s Monkeypox Information page. Thank you for your efforts in protecting yourselves and the community, and we wish you a safe and happy celebration!
See you at Pride!