Monkeypox - Update and advice (31 August 2022)

Recent reports show that there continue to be confirmed cases of Monkeypox infections in the UK, although the current risk to the general population is low.

Please inform the service immediately on arrival (at the reception desk) if any of below apply to you:

• You are a man or transwoman who has sex with men and have had these symptoms in the last 3 weeks: a new rash on any part of your body, a fever, any new lumps in your neck, groin or under your arms (swollen lymph nodes), an intense headache or muscle aches
• You’ve been in close contact with someone who has Monkeypox in the last 3 weeks
• You have confirmed Monkeypox
• You’ve returned from West or Central Africa in the last 3 weeks and have any of the symptoms above

Photos showing the different stages of Monkeypox 

Person-to-person spread of monkeypox may occur through:

• Direct contact with the skin lesions or scabs.
• Contact with clothing or linens (such as bedding or towels) that have been used by an infected person.
• Breathing in droplets from the coughing or sneezing of someone who has a monkeypox rash.

Monkeypox Vaccination

Can I get a vaccination for Monkeypox:

People who are at highest risk for monkeypox infection can be vaccinated at the service, but must meet the following criteria to be eligible:

• Gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men or transwomen who have sex with men AND one or more of below:
  • More than 5 sex partners or sex in a sauna, sex club or other sex premises in the last year
  • Chlamydia (or LGV), gonorrhoea or syphilis in the last year
  • On PrEP

If you meet any of the above criteria, please visit pad.millsystems.com to register an account and make an appointment.

PROTECTING YOU FROM MONKEYPOX - INFORMATION ON THE SMALLPOX VACCINATION - GOV.UK (WWW.GOV.UK)

Download the Monkeypox patient information leaflet

More information on Monkeypox can be found on the NHS website here.

Sexual health and HIV services information

• As we continue to move out of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have removed many of our remaining Covid-19 measures in line with national NHS guidance. Our sexual health department still have requirements in in place, such as face masks and social distancing. You can read about our latest measures across our sites before coming to hospital.  
• To ensure social distancing, we are unable to operate a walk-in clinic. To access our service call 0203 312 1225, unless you have an emergency.

Emergency walk-in service is available to those who:

• Have experienced a recent sexual assault and do not wish to attend the havens.
• Require PEP ( Post- exposure prophylaxis for HIV)
• Require emergency contraception – call 020 3312 1225 or walk-in during opening hours
• If you are under 18 years old 

If you have any non-urgent enquiries, you can reach the sexual health team via imperial.sexualhealth.smh@nhs.net 

About us

The Department of Sexual Health and HIV is based in the purpose built Jefferiss Wing clinic at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington. 

The department provides specialist outpatient services to adults living with HIV in the Wharfside Clinic. We also provide dedicated HIV in-patient beds at Ron Johnson ward, a 19-bedded purpose built ward based at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital 

We provide: 

• Comprehensive sexual health screening for sexually transmitted infections (STI) including HIV 
• Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV prevention 
• Hepatitis A, B and C screening  
• Hepatitis A, B  and HPV vaccinations  
• All methods of contraception, including emergency contraception 
• Specialist clinics particularly focused on complex and difficult to treat infections and  male pelvic pain 
• Psychotherapeutic and psychosexual services for patients experiencing difficulties with sex and relationships, gender and sexuality
• Safer sex education and support/counselling 
• Specialist clinics for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and those identifying as transgender
• Young people services

The service has a thriving HIV and Sexual Health research section supported by our Imperial College Academic colleagues 

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH)

• Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)
• Epididymo-orchitis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• More sexually transmitted infections leaflets from BASHH
• Central and North West London sexual health services
• SASH - support and advice on sexual health
• Club Drug Clinic
• My contraception toolkit