with us monkeypox cases surpassing 11000 in the past week many are asking how to best protect themselves and reduce their risk abc news consulted with specialists who have studied or treated monkeypox including abc contributors dr darien sutton and john brownstein phd to categorize various behaviors and activities into different risk levels researchers warn that in the midst of an ongoing outbreak the medical community is learning more about how this virus spreads in realtime public health officials say each person should carefully consider his or her own potential for exposure and risk tolerance level more monkeypox patient speaks out about what its like to have the disease how monkeypox spreads risks and behaviors abc news photo illustration most risky currently most of the transmission seems to be occurring through sexual encounters limiting your number of sexual encounters avoiding spaces where intimate often anonymous sexual contact with multiple partners occurs and wearing condoms and protective clothing are some ways that may minimize your risk of exposure according to the cdc any prolonged skintoskin contact including hugging and kissing someone who is positive is another likely method of transmission more monkeypox and your skin how to prevent and treat postinfection scarring risky living with someone who is positive increases the risk of transmission this is especially due to the possibility of contact with towels sheets and linens that someone who is positive used sharing food or shaking hands with someone who is positive may also be risky less risky in everyday life speaking to someone who is positive over a long period may be risky due to prolonged facetoface contact because respiratory droplets are a possible mode of transmission just like covid19 wearing masks is an effective way to reduce your risk activities involving crowds where social distancing isnt possible like festivals events and concerts may lead to transmission if you come into contact with someone who has an exposed rash or lesion spaces where attendees are fully clothed and skintoskin contact is minimal may be safer according to the cdc unlikely when walking past others or brushing past someone who is positive is an unlikely route to getting infected transmission via water from a swimming pool or hot tub is also unlikely however when in these spaces it is common to not be fully clothed and come into close physical contact with towels and other people be sure to always remain aware of your surroundings generally using public spaces where you may touch hard surfaces such as public transit gyms and restrooms are typically of minimal risk but experts say it is always a good idea to wash hands frequently and use an eparegistered disinfectant on hightouch surfaces