Your risk of getting monkeypox at the gym is very low, experts say.

Your risk of getting monkeypox at the gym is very low, experts say.

The White House declared monkeypox a public health emergency on August 4, 2022, after news of the infectious disease had been circulating since early summer. Since then, you may have been curious about your risk of contracting monkeypox in certain situations. And if you're a regular gym or gym goer, you may now be wondering whether you might contract monkeypox in a sweaty environment where you share equipment with strangers.

Can you exercise if you have COVID-19?

While it makes perfect sense to exercise caution, "your risk of contracting monkeypox at the gym is very low," Armand Balboni, M.D., Ph.D., a former staff officer at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and CEO of Appili Therapeutics, told Shape. So let's take a closer look at the essentials.

What is monkeypox?

First things first: “Monkeypox is a viral disease,” explains Kami Kim, MD, director of infectious diseases at USF Health and attending physician at Tampa General Hospital. “The virus belongs to a group of viruses called orthopoxes, which typically cause skin lesions – a rash [or] spots that eventually crust over.” The main symptom of monkeypox is a skin rash that can sometimes feel painful or itchy and is often the clearest sign that you may have been infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A rash caused by monkeypox can appear on or near the genitals, anus, hands, feet, arms, face, mouth, or rectum, says Dr. Similar symptoms, the CDC notes, such symptoms may develop before the rash, after the rash, or not at all.

Although the current outbreak is new, monkeypox is not a new disease, explains Dr. Balboni. Unlike the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists and medical personnel already have protective measures against monkeypox. The same vaccines have been used for years to prevent monkeypox and smallpox. For example, in 2019, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the JYNNEOS vaccine against both monkeypox and smallpox [monkeypox]. The virus belongs to the same group as smallpox, which is why the smallpox vaccine is effective [in protecting against monkeypox]," adds Dr. Kim. Besides, smallpox is "much more contagious and deadly than monkeypox," she says.

So how could you possibly contract the virus? “Monkeypox is spread primarily through direct contact with the monkeypox rash or scab, or through the bodily fluids of someone with monkeypox,” says Dr. Balboni. “Therefore, people should try to avoid close contact and skin-to-skin contact with people who either have monkeypox or look like they have a rash,” he continues. Monkeypox “is transmitted most effectively through close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact,” he adds. However, according to the CDC, monkeypox is not considered a sexually transmitted disease.

Can you get monkeypox at the gym?

When it comes to contracting monkeypox at the gym, the risk of infection is low, but not zero. “When a person infected with monkeypox visits a gym, their body fluids, respiratory secretions and skin rashes can contaminate the environment,” says Mackenzie Weise, MPH, CIC, epidemiologist and director of clinical solutions and content equity at Wolters Kluwer. "When this occurs, transmission to another person via contaminated objects, surfaces or fabrics is possible. If the area is not disinfected, orthopoxviruses (genus monkeypox virus) can survive indoors for weeks or months."

There are a few reasons why you usually don't have to worry too much about contracting monkeypox at the gym. First, while monkeypox can occasionally spread through bedding, clothing, or towels used by someone with active lesions, this is unlikely to be the case in a gym, explains Dr. Kim. “Because most gyms take care to disinfect public facilities and wash towels immediately, the likelihood of contracting monkeypox through contact in a gym is extremely low,” she says. “Most people with active skin lesions would be symptomatic and would be advised to quarantine until all lesions have completely healed,” she adds.

What if the person on the treadmill next to you starts coughing – is it possible to get monkeypox through airborne transmission? Monkeypox is unlikely to spread through the air “except in very rare cases and in laboratory experiments with very long exposures,” notes Dr. Balboni.

This workout gear will make your sweat sesh *much* more hygienic

Due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic, gyms will likely be extra careful with sanitation measures regardless of the monkeypox outbreak. In 2020, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), a nonprofit trade association representing more than 200,000 health and fitness facilities worldwide, launched the Active & Safe Commitment. As part of the initiative, gym operators committed to taking measures to contain COVID-19, including cleaning, sanitizing and sanitizing their clubs. It is also common practice for clubs to provide hand sanitizing stations throughout their facilities and deep clean equipment and surfaces each night to prevent the spread of viruses.

How can you reduce your risk of getting monkeypox at the gym?

Even if the risk of contracting the virus when visiting a gym or gym is low, you should still follow some basic hygiene rules. "If you're nervous about contracting monkeypox or another contagious disease at the gym, it's always a good practice to wipe down your machines and equipment with an alcohol-based disinfectant spray or wipe before and after use," says Dr. Balboni. “You should also wash your hands with soap and water before and after exercise and minimize direct contact with others in your gym.”

This yoga teacher shared a brilliant trick for keeping your mat clean

Dr. Kim also advises never sharing towels with other gym-goers, as there is a small risk of monkeypox infection from fabrics. You can always bring your own towel to be on the safe side. “The most important thing: If you are sick, stay at home!” says Weise. And if you want to be extra careful, consider keeping the crop tops and cycling shorts at home for workouts. “Safety before exercise fashion: Plan to wear clothing that minimizes exposed skin [to the gym],” adds Weise.

In short, as long as your gym implements appropriate hygiene measures such as: By regularly disinfecting surfaces, like disinfecting surfaces, and taking a few simple steps to protect yourself by washing your hands, wiping down equipment, and wearing clothing that protects skin from touching surfaces, you can exercise without getting upset about monkeypox.