Monkeypox FAQs

Monkeypox is the disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. It is very rare. While it is in the same virus family as smallpox, the symptoms are usually milder. It is not related to chickenpox.

Monkeypox remains a rare disease in the United States. It is much less transmissible than COVID-19.

Monkeypox symptoms may include:​

• A rash that looks like clear or pus-filled bumps
• Fever 
• Chills 
• Headache 
• Muscle aches 
• Exhaustion 
• Swollen lymph nodes

Symptoms most often appear within three weeks of exposure. Typically, the flu-like symptoms appear first, followed by the rash, but in some cases, a rash has preceded any other symptoms.

• It is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, such as through intimate sexual contact.
• It can also spread through sharing personal items – such as towels, bedding or clothing – that have been used by someone with monkeypox.  
• You may also contract it through prolonged exposure to respiratory secretions from an infected person, such as through hugging, kissing or sex. 
• Additional information about transmission is available on the CDC website.

No, there is no evidence monkeypox is spread this way. Monkeypox is most often spread through close, intimate contact, especially skin-to-skin contact. More information is available on the CDC website.

• Contact your healthcare provider. Students may contact the Student Health Center or their primary healthcare provider. Employees should contact their primary healthcare provider.
• Get tested. Your healthcare provider will provide testing for Monkeypox if appropriate. 
• Get vaccinated. Vaccinations are helpful even after exposure. More information is available through Mecklenburg County Public Health or the NC Department of Health and Human Services. 

Anyone can get monkeypox. To date, most people who have been diagnosed with the monkeypox virus in this outbreak are self-identifying men who have sex with men. However, as with other diseases, it is able to spread and has spread to other communities through sexual or other close contact. 

• Avoid skin-to-skin contact with anyone who is displaying skin lesions that look like monkeypox. This includes hugging, kissing or other sexual contact. 
• Avoid using the eating utensils or drinking after someone who is displaying symptoms of monkeypox. 
• Do not use the towels, bedding or clothing of someone with monkeypox. 
• Do not attend gatherings where attendees wear little clothing and there is a high probability of skin-to-skin contact. 
• Washing or sanitizing your hands often helps prevent the spread of all germs, including the monkeypox virus. 
• Visit the CDC website for additional information on lowering your risk of contracting the virus. 

• There is no evidence that wearing a face mask is necessary to prevent the spread of monkeypox in most situations. Monkeypox is most often spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. 
• However, anyone with monkeypox should wear a mask when around others, and anyone living with someone who has monkeypox should wear a mask when around the ill individual.  More information on precautions for household members of individuals with monkeypox is available on the CDC website. 

The Student Health Center has a limited supply of monkeypox vaccines available for students most at risk for the virus. If students meet any of the eligibility criteria listed online, they can now schedule an appointment at the Student Health Center to receive the vaccine.

Yes. The Student Health Center has a limited supply of monkeypox vaccines available for students most at risk for the virus. If students meet any of the eligibility criteria listed online, they can now schedule an appointment at the Student Health Center to receive the vaccine.

• Students should contact the Student Health Center or their primary healthcare provider for an evaluation to determine if testing is necessary. 
• Employees should contact their primary healthcare provider for an evaluation to determine if testing is necessary. 

To test for monkeypox, healthcare providers will swab several of the lesions on your body to collect a sample, which will be sent to a lab for analysis for presence of the virus.

If you are diagnosed with monkeypox, you will need to isolate until your rash is completely healed, and you should follow all protocols outlined by the CDC. 

If you are identified by public health officials as a close contact of someone with monkeypox, you will not have to quarantine, but you will be advised to closely monitor your symptoms for up to 21 days. If you develop symptoms, you will need to isolate

You should follow the instructions of your medical provider. 

• Students, return home to isolate if at all possible. If that is not possible, you should isolate in place. Do not attend class or work. Additional information about notifying your professors about your absence is found in the “Student information” section below. 
• Employees, isolate at home. Do not come to work. Additional information about notifying your supervisor about your absence is found in the “Employee information” section below. 

Please review the CDC’s full isolation and cleaning instructions for monkeypox.

It is possible to detect the presence of the monkeypox virus in wastewater. The University is investigating protocols for this testing, and information will be shared with campus as we learn more. 

No, we do not anticipate any operational changes will be necessary because of monkeypox. Individuals are encouraged to follow personal health and safety measures that will reduce their risk of contracting the virus. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and follow the guidance of the CDC, local public health officials and the UNC System. 

No, you do not need to report a monkeypox diagnosis to the University. Your health care provider will notify public health officials, who will determine whether further notification is necessary.

COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease. During the global pandemic, UNC Charlotte assumed primary responsibility for identification of and contact tracing for all members of the campus community who tested positive for COVID-19 because Mecklenburg County Public Health was so overtaxed. It was an extraordinary situation. 

Monkeypox remains a rare disease that is being managed primarily by local health officials.

Local public health officials will conduct all contact tracing for monkeypox. The University will not do contact tracing. 

If you are identified as a close contact of someone diagnosed with monkeypox, you will be notified by public health officials. It is also possible the person diagnosed with monkeypox may contact you directly.

No, privacy laws prevent the University from disclosing a positive monkeypox diagnosis to your professors. However, you should notify your professors that you are ill and unable to come to class. CDC guidelines require that you isolate until you are well and your skin lesions have completely resolved/healed. As with any other illness, you are free to share with your professors as little or as much about your diagnosis as you wish. If you need absence verification for your professors, you may follow the standard absence verification procedures with Student Assistance and Support Services.

No, your professor should not ask you about a medical diagnosis. If you need assistance with absence verification, you should follow the standard absence verification procedures with Student Assistance and Support Services.

As with any illness, if you must be absent from class, you should notify your professors directly. How much you choose to disclose about your illness is up to you. Should you need assistance with absence verification, you should use the standard absence verification process through Student Assistance and Support Services.

Charlotte Athletics is working closely with their medical team and public health officials to monitor the virus as well as any safety guidelines that are issued.

Per CDC guidelines, anyone who is diagnosed with monkeypox should isolate. If at all possible, students should return home to do this. If they cannot, they will isolate in place. In those situations, the University is prepared to relocate roommates of the positive individual  to support health and safety. We have standard isolation protocols to  provide food and care to students in isolation. The Student Health Center and Housing and Residence Life will work with these students directly. 

UREC and other gym facilities will have ample supplies of sanitation wipes and additional signage in place to remind users to wipe down equipment both before or after use. This helps prevent the spread of all germs. Additionally, staff will continue with their regular sanitation of equipment. 

No, as with other private medical conditions, privacy laws prevent you from asking a student if they have monkeypox.

If you are concerned about a student’s health or safety, you should follow standard procedures for completing a care and concern report. The appropriate office will follow up with the student. 

As with any other medical disclosure, you should hold this information in confidence. Anyone with monkeypox is required by CDC guidelines to isolate until they are well, and a student should not be in class while they are ill.  If you are concerned about a student’s health or safety, you should follow standard procedures for completing a care and concern report.

Yes, as with any extended absence, you may ask the student to complete the standard absence verification process through Student Assistance and Support Services.

No, federal privacy laws prevent the University from disclosing a positive monkeypox diagnosis to your supervisor. However, CDC guidelines require that you isolate until you are well, and you should not come to work. You must notify your supervisor about your absence using your unit’s established procedures. How much information you disclose about your medical condition is up to you. If you will be absent from work for any illness for more than 3 days, you should contact the Benefits Office to discuss next steps. They can be reached at 704-687-8134 or benefits@uncc.edu. 

You should work directly with your supervisor. If you need additional guidance, contact the Benefits Office at 704-687-8134 or benefits@uncc.edu. 

No, employees who need to be absent from work because of monkeypox should use their standard sick leave. For extended absences, please contact the Benefits Office for additional guidance at 704-687-8134 or benefits@uncc.edu.