Emily Clarke

Where to Get Tested for Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a viral disease that mainly occurs in central and western Africa. However, since May 2022, infections have spread to more than 50 countries across five regions. Tens of thousands of cases have been reported in the United States alone, prompting the declaration of a public health emergency.

Health experts recommend that individuals who may have been exposed to the virus undergo testing. But where and when do you get tested for Monkeypox?

Testing Locations

Unlike the COVID-19 pandemic, no national websites or databases exist for testing locations. Some municipalities have websites for specific regions, but that's not the case everywhere. The best course of action is to reach out to a primary care provider or urgent care facility. Due to how the virus spreads, sexual health clinics also often provide testing.

There are a handful of commercial locations to get Monkeypox. The CDC currently has contracts with companies like LabCorp, Quest, and Aegis Science. Testing at public health labs is free for all patients, but commercial labs may charge a fee for the service. Fortunately, LabCorp online bill payment makes covering those charges more manageable.

When to Get Tested

Generally, getting tested is a good idea if you have close contact with individuals that already have Monkeypox. Some localities have contact tracing systems, making identifying people with possible exposure easy.

Health experts also recommend getting tested if you display any of the following early symptoms of Monkeypox.

• Fever

• Headache

• Muscle aches

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Face lesions

• Body rashes

Typically, it's best to wait until several of these symptoms occur. The testing process requires the presence of rashes or lesions to complete.

How Monkeypox Testing Works

Testing for Monkeypox is straightforward. There are no at-home tests for this virus, so they must be performed by a healthcare professional. Providers will rub a swab over lesions or rashes. They don't require popping to get a good sample.

After sample collection, the only thing left is to make a LabCorp online bill payment for any associated fees and wait. Results usually come within 48 hours.

The samples are tested using a polymerase chain reaction. If positive, healthcare providers may recommend a course of tecovirimat, the only available treatment for the virus.

Author Resource:-

Emily Clarke writes about cash advances, overdraft protection & finance apps. You can find her thoughts at money transfer app blog.