- AdventHealth

Mpox, the virus formerly known as monkeypox when it appeared on the U.S. scene in May 2022, lost its classification as a public health emergency on Jan. 31. That designation was bestowed in early August 2022, as the number of confirmed cases continued to climb. On Aug. 6, the seven-day daily average peaked at 460, according to the CDC. On March 1, that average stood at one.
While the disease may no longer be grabbing headlines, misconceptions about the virus persist. In an interview with Health Digest, Vincent Hsu, MD, infectious disease specialist and infection control officer for AdventHealth, addressed the lingering myths:
Myth: Mpox is over and I’m not at risk.
Fact: While the mpox outbreak has subsided and risk of infection is much lower now, there are still infections that are being transmitted to others.
Myth: If I am at risk, there’s no longer a need for me to get a vaccine.
Fact: Because the outbreak is not eradicated, people at risk of getting mpox should still reduce their risk by getting vaccinated.
Myth: I can’t transmit mpox if I have no symptoms.
Fact: We have learned more recently that transmission can occur even before the onset of symptoms such as fever or rash. However, we have not seen evidence of transmission if you never develop any symptoms later.
Myth: If I don’t notice symptoms soon after I know I’ve been exposed to mpox, that means I haven’t contracted it.
Fact: It can take three weeks or more after exposure to develop symptoms, and the time period just before and during symptoms is when you are at greatest risk of transmitting to others.
Myth: I can get mpox through casual contact.
Fact: Mpox is spread through close personal, usually skin-to-skin contact, and sexual contact, but not through casual contact.
"We have learned many new things about mpox over the course of this outbreak," Dr. Hsu said. It is still important, he suggested, to stay up-to-date on the latest information regarding the illness. "Keeping close tabs on the latest developments provided through reliable and trusted sources such as local public health agencies and the CDC will aid in debunking myths and controlling the spread of mpox,” Dr. Hsu said.
"Understand what your risk is,” he added. “If you're in a high-risk group, pay attention to sources of close contact. Recognize that symptoms — fever, malaise, headache, rash — could be indicative of a number of things. Immediately speak with your health care provider, seek care and get tested."
Recent News
Across AdventHealth, a community of team members unites under a shared mission, serving more than 8 million patients annually.
Darin Santangelo -- AdventHealth Orlando's executive director of procedural services -- said that he couldn't run to his mailbox when he began training for an Ironman Triathlon.
Health officials said Monday that a Louisiana patient who had been hospitalized with H5N1 died, marking the first U.S. death from bird flu.
When Darin Santangelo, executive director of procedural services at AdventHealth Orlando, started training for an Ironman, he said he couldn’t run to his mailbox. Now, he competes in what’s widely...
AdventHealth completed the acquisition of a western North Carolina hospital days after Hurricane Helene hammered the region. Leaders talk about wrapping up the deal in a crisis and helping a...
AdventHealth Well 65+ aims to provide highly personalized care to patients who are age 65 or older.
AdventHealth has named Andrew Santos president/CEO of AdventHealth North Pinellas, effective Jan. 12.
Nearly a dozen AdventHealth hospitals have been recognized as Leapfrog Top Hospitals for 2024, a distinction awarded to fewer than six percent of eligible hospitals in the United States.
David Weis has been promoted to serve as president/CEO for the region covering east Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns counties. Lorenzo Brown has been promoted to serve as president/CEO for the region...
On the newest Inspiring Wholeness podcast, Obie Diaz, local morning radio show host, shares how a routine physical eventually led to two open heart surgeries.
St. Luke's Hospital in Columbus, North Carolina, had been planning to ink a management agreement with AdventHealth, one of the nation's largest health systems, for months. But just days before the...
AdventHealth President and CEO Terry Shaw has been named one of Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare for 2024, marking continued recognition of Shaw as a transformative leader...