Massage and Monkeypox: Should I be worried?
Questions questions questions! Is monkeypox just basically chickenpox that’s being blown up in the media and causing panic in the face of another infectious virus? Is it going to be the next AIDS epidemic and the ignorant panic that came with lack of understanding of transmission? Already this poorly named virus is gaining stigma and false labels as a sexually transmitted disease that mainly affects sexually active bisexual men and those of LBGTQ+ communities.
Can it spread to children and populations that don’t fit under that designated box? How risky it is to schedule yourself a massage in this world of constant threat from viruses and diseases once known to be rare and slow-spreading? What sort of risk are the general population of Oregon specifically being put under with this new threat to our social interactions, healthcare system, economy, and most importantly individual health?
To answer these questions and more let me start with the basics in bite-size bullet points easier to digest and scroll through!
Monkeypox is an orthopoxvirus that is spread from animals to humans. Not just monkeys but other animals including squirrels and pet animals
Human to human transmission was rare until more recently. You may see current numbers on the outbreak on the CDC website or WHO website.
Can be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, lesions or blisters on the skin and internal human surfaces such as mouth, respiratory droplets and contaminated objects
“Rubbing against a monkeypox rash with bare skin, touching contaminated objects, and ingesting respiratory secretions, like saliva, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
Spread through sexual activity, though not classed as a sexual transmitted disease
First stage of symptoms include a widespread rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and back pain, fatigue, headache
Eventually lesions with a flat base on skin evolve to papules (raised firm painful lesions) to vesicles (filled with clear fluid) to pustules (filled with pus), followed by scabs or crusts
Can last 2 to 4 weeks
Severe complications include secondary infections, bronchopneumonia, sepsis, encephalitis, and infection of the cornea with ensuing loss of vision
Having close contact with an infected person or their personal items like towels and clothing that have been contaminated should be avoided. If you are caring for someone with monkeypox it is recommended to wear personal protective equipment like gloves and a mask if the person is at risk of exposing you to their respiratory droplets or saliva. The world population is susceptible to monkeypox since the ending of routine smallpox vaccination which offers some protection against it. People vaccinated with the smallpox vaccine in their childhood are less at risk than unvaccinated.
So what does this all mean for the world of massage? It means I’m not changing my already in place cleaning and handling of soiled massage linens, aprons, bottles and equipment. I am still disinfecting surfaces, light switches, door handles, etc. I keep appointments spaced apart so there is no time in which you interact with another client. I have a HEPA air filter in the treatment room. I do not use any open cream or lotion jars where there could be cross contamination. Every client is required to fill out paperwork beforehand which includes screening for any infectious skin conditions they may have. In addition to keeping up COVID safety protocols I am vaccinated against the 2022-2023 flu season, COVID-19 boosted, and have had smallpox vaccination as a child. If I can do anything to make you feel more comfortable and safe in these uncertain times just let me know so I can accommodate you.