Monkeypox: What you need to know
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection usually associated with travel to central and west Africa. It is usually a mild illness and it’s spread by very close contact with someone with monkeypox. Most people recover within a few weeks and this risk to the population remains low.
Symptoms include unusual rashes or lesions on the body such as the face or genital area (these may look like raised bumps, spots, blisters, or scabs), fever, muscle aches, chills and exhaustion, headaches and swollen glands.
What to do if you think you might have monkeypox
If you think you might have monkeypox symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has had monkeypox in the last three weeks please contact one of the below services as soon as possible. You will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
- Call the Monkeypox helpline on 0333 2423 672 (Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm and Saturday-Sunday 9am-1pm)
- call the national sexual health helpline on 0300 1237 123 (Monday - Friday 9am-8pm and Saturday - Sunday 11am-4pm)
- call Homerton Sexual Health on 020 7683 4103 or your local sexual health service
- visit NHS 111 online or call 111
Please do not attend a clinic, hospital or your GP in person, unless they arrange an appointment. It is also important you avoid close personal or sexual contact with others until you have had a clinical assessment.
When the helplines are closed
Please do not attend A&E unless you are significantly unwell or have a life-threatening emergency. If you do need to attend A&E please inform staff immediately that you have monkeypox symptoms.
If you need advice out of hours or have an urgent but not life-threatening medical need please visit NHS 111 online or call 111 for advice on where you can get care. When contacting NHS 111 please let them know if you have monkeypox symptoms.
For the latest information, please use the following links:
