Want a super fun and cute way to learn more about STIs? GiantMicrobes are here to entertain, educate, and cuddle. These plush toys are about 5 inches in height, and represent a number of different sexually transmitted infections.

Each microbe includes a printed card with educational and fascinating facts. A perfect gift for students, scientists, health professionals & anyone with a healthy sense of humor!

This little microbe represents the Monkeypox virus. Below is more information about Monkeypox, courtesy of our friends at Planned Parenthood.

Monkeypox is a virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes variola virus (the cause of smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine) and cowpox virus.

Monkeypox can cause rashes, bumps, or blisters on or around the genitals or in other areas like your hands, feet, chest, or face. It can also cause flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. These symptoms may occur before or after the rash appears, or not at all. 

Who can get monkeypox?

Anyone who comes in close contact with monkeypox can get the disease. Transmission is not based on a person’s race, gender, or sexual orientation. 

How is monkeypox transmitted?

Monkeypox can spread through skin-to-skin contact or through droplets. To spread through droplets in the air, the individuals would have to be less than 6 feet apart for 3 or more hours.   

Scientists are still researching whether monkeypox is transmitted through semen or vaginal fluids. What is known is that the virus can be spread through the long periods of face-to-face contact you might naturally have when living with, caring for, or being intimate with someone who has monkeypox. It can be spread by skin-to-skin contact that can occur during sexual activity.

How can I prevent monkeypox? 

If you or a sexual partner has monkeypox, you can protect others by not sharing towels, linens, clothing, or sex toys; by avoiding oral, anal, and vaginal sex; and by not kissing or touching other people’s bodies.  

These are all precautions you can take to limit the spread of monkeypox until your rash has healed, your scabs have fallen off, and a new layer of skin is present. 

If you have been exposed to monkeypox, the CDC also recommends you get the vaccine if it is available.

There are two vaccines currently available to help prevent monkeypox, but their availability is limited.  See the CDC link below for vaccine information.

See more at:
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/vaccines/vaccine-basics.html

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-pasadena-san-gabriel-valley/campaigns/monkeypox

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-greater-new-york/blog/theres-no-room-for-stigma-how-to-protect-yourself-against-monkeypox