Anyone can get monkeypox (also known as monkey pox) and the World Health Organization is now calling the rapid spread of the virus a global health emergency.In South Florida, the epicenter of the state, interest in containing new cases is high, even as the numbers rise almost daily.All it takes to get monkeypox is skin-to-skin contact with someone with a blister, such as a prolonged hug or sexual encounter.The virus can also be spread through shared bedding or clothing that has previously come into contact with someone's infectious rash or bodily fluids.Most of the cases so far are men who have had sex with men, mainly because the initial cases started in that social community.But the US is already experiencing some side effects: Two children have monkeypox.In the case of children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they likely acquired the virus from someone in their home through activities such as "holding, hugging, feeding, or sharing items like towels, bedding, cups." and utensils."As of Monday, Broward County had more than 131 confirmed or probable cases, while Miami-Dade County had 73 and Palm Beach County had 10.[ READ IN ENGLISH: Anyone can get monkeypox.See how to get tested, treated and vaccinated in South Florida ]People who get sick with the particular strain of monkeypox that is spreading don't always have the traditional fever, aches, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes all over their bodies.Many patients have debilitating headaches and only a few reddish blisters in the genital area, sometimes mistaken for a sexually transmitted disease.Some of the viral videos on social media are of men saying monkeypox lesions are not only unsightly but also painful.Men complain of not being able to eat for days due to mouth sores or having trouble urinating due to groin blisters.The period of active lesions, when the virus is most contagious, lasts two to four weeks, according to the CDC.You can't just show up and say, "I want a test."To test for monkeypox in South Florida, a health professional at a clinic, doctor's office, or urgent care must take a sample from a lesion and send the sample to a laboratory.That means you have to have an injury to take a sample.The test is processed in a laboratory through a polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, much like those for COVID-19.Testing capacity has expanded in recent weeks with the participation of more commercial labs rather than just public labs.However, resources are still limited.With companies like Quest and Labcorp now processing tests, turnaround time has improved, with South Florida patients reporting getting their results in 24 hours to three to four days.Duane Rinde, 57, of Oakland Park, receives the monkeypox vaccine administered by nurse practitioner Joel Ramos at Latinos Salud in Wilton Manors on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS)The Florida Department of Health urges anyone with a suspicious blister or rash to get tested.There is no home test for monkeypox.If you have been in contact with someone infected, you may get a call from a contact tracer advising you to watch for injuries and get vaccinated.During a recent press briefing, a CDC official said the federal government hopes to eventually see a saliva or blood test for monkeypox, but such tests are not available at this time.If you are diagnosed with monkeypox, you will need to isolate yourself until all lesions are gone.It may take up to four weeks for the lesions to scab over and the scabs to fall off.Most people get better on their own, and monkeypox is not a fatal disease.While in isolation, patients manage their symptoms with over-the-counter medications or pain relievers.For people at high risk of complications because they have HIV or are immunocompromised, doctors prescribe antivirals, such as tecovirimat or TPOXX.The drugs have not been given the green light by the government for use against monkeypox, so to obtain them, doctors must enroll the patient in a clinical trial.Dr. Bryan Gaudio, who just prescribed TPOXX to a monkeypox patient, said he had to order the drug from the government stockpile, fill out extensive paperwork and get his patient's consent to treatment.“I was able to get him the medication within two days of diagnosis,” Gaudio said."But I hope we can reduce the paperwork."Remember the long lines at parks in South Florida to get a COVID shot when it first came out?Demand for the monkeypox vaccine is also strong, but the vaccines are distributed by appointment in specific locations with a high number of cases.There are two vaccines to treat monkeypox, but one, Jynneos, has far fewer side effects and is more widely distributed at the moment.Full vaccination with Jynneos requires two doses 28 days apart.Another vaccine, ACAM2000, which was designed to prevent smallpox but has been shown to work against monkeypox, can have serious side effects and is not designed to be given to people with certain health conditions, including pregnancy and people living with The hiv.The federal government is releasing doses of the Jynneos vaccine to national stockpile states.At this time, it is only offered in Florida to high-risk groups, including laboratory and health care personnel, and those who have been in close contact with people with monkeypox, immunocompromised men with HIV, and gay men with a recent history of sexually transmitted diseases.Health officials are also making it available for health providers to give to their patients who may have recently been exposed to monkeypox.Research suggests that Jynneos may prevent symptoms of illness if given within four days of exposure and reduce symptoms if given within five to 14 days.People are considered fully vaccinated about 2 weeks after the second Jynneos injection.The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade allows you to schedule an appointment for a free vaccination online at https://book.appointment-plus.com/d6b7yl3g at the Health District Center at 1350 NW 14th St., Miami.On Monday, all the appointments were already taken.The Florida Department of Health in Broward has also launched an appointment system at vaccineappointmentbroward.com.Walk-ins are not permitted.This week, the vaccines will be delivered at SunServe at Wilton Manors and The Poverello Center at Wilton Manors.On Monday all appointments were filled."This is based on the availability and distribution of vaccines from the federal government," said Nina Levine, a spokeswoman for the Broward Department of Health.“DOH-Broward will offer new appointments as additional vaccines become available from the federal government.”However, at other sites that had been giving out vaccines at Wilton Manors, The Pride Center at Equality Park and Latinos Salud, appointments have sold out.Robert Boo, executive director of The Pride Center, said that if someone cancels or doesn't show up, he tries to fill the slots with walk-ins.Boo said appointments for second shots are made at the time the first one is given.Care Resource, community health centers in South Florida, offer monkeypox testing, treatment and vaccinations, but you must make an appointment, be seen by a doctor and fall into a high-risk category.You will need to pre-register at https://careresource.org/patient-info/pre-register/.The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach does not yet deliver Jynneos doses in Palm Beach County by appointment.Spokesman Alexander Shaw said the doses are only being sent to health care personnel at high risk of exposure or to doctors to administer to patients with potential exposure.“For those who do not fit into one of these groups, it is recommended that you periodically check the Florida Department of Health website at floridahealth.gov for updates on monkeypox vaccine distribution,” Shaw said.Side effects of vaccines can include low-grade fever, tiredness, and swollen glands.Gaudio at AHF Miami says his only side effect was redness and itching at the injection site.So far, the federal government has allocated 36,383 doses of Jynneos to Florida, close to the requested amount.The state is waiting for about 5,000 doses of its allocation.The CDC says that an earlier smallpox vaccine is 85% effective in preventing monkeypox.Routine smallpox vaccination among the American public stopped in 1972 after the disease was eradicated from the United States.Some scientists have expressed concern that the effectiveness has decreased in the last 50 years.If you received a smallpox vaccine and are at high risk or recently exposed, health officials recommend that you get a smallpox vaccine.Sun Sentinel, Cindy Goodman, cgoodman@sunsentinel.com.