Monkeypox is a virus that comes in the form of pox, but it is not a form of chickenpox. The first case of Monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most Monkeypox cases in 2022 are in central and western African countries. In July of 2022, there were 5,189 cases of Monkeypox in the US, according to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. Washington, DC has the highest cases of Monkeypox, in which 30 per 100,000 residents were confirmed to have Monkeypox. By August 2022, each state in the US had one case or more of Monkeypox. 

Monkeypox does have symptoms, the most common being a painful rash that looks like blisters or pimples on the face, inside the mouth, or any other body parts. Other signs of Monkeypox also include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. Monkeypox symptoms can last up to four weeks, and there is not yet a treatment for them

Monkeypox can spread by direct contact with a rash, face to face with an infected person, for example kissing or cuddling, and touching items that have been in contact with the rash. Out of more than 57,000 confirmed cases, 22 people have died from Monkeypox.  However, Monkeypox does have a vaccine. Monkeypox is no fun to have, if you see a rash you might have Monkeypox.