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Mpox

Mpox

Summary

What is mpox?

Mpox, which used to be called monkeypox, is a rare disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. The mpox virus is in the same family of viruses as the smallpox virus. But mpox is less contagious than smallpox. And its disease causes milder symptoms and is usually not fatal.

In the past, most of the people who got mpox lived in certain parts of central and western Africa, had traveled there, or had been exposed to infected animals imported from there. During the recent outbreak, the disease has been found in people who live in other countries, including the United States.

How does mpox spread?

Mpox spreads in different ways:

  • Through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus:
    • Through direct contact with their rash, scabs, or body fluids.
    • By breathing in the virus during prolonged, face-to-face contact.
    • During intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling, hugging, massage or sex.
  • During pregnancy, from the pregnant person to the baby.
  • From touching items (such as clothes, bedding, or towels) that were used by someone who has the virus. The risk of getting mpox this way is low.
  • From infected animals:
    • By being scratched or bitten by the animal.
    • By preparing or eating meat or using products from the animal.

Someone who has mpox can spread it from the time their symptoms start until their rash has fully healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This usually takes 2-4 weeks.

What are the symptoms of mpox?

The symptoms of mpox usually start within 3 weeks from the time you were exposed to the virus. The symptoms may include:

  • A rash with sores that can look like pimples or blisters. It could be on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. It goes through different stages, including scabs, before healing. This can take 2-4 weeks.
  • Fever.
  • Chills.
  • Swollen lymph nodes (“swollen glands”).
  • Exhaustion.
  • Headache.
  • Muscle aches and backache.
  • Respiratory symptoms, such as a sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough.

You may have all or only a few symptoms:

  • You may get a rash first, followed by other symptoms
  • You may have flu-like symptoms and then develop a rash 1-4 days later
  • You may only get a rash

How is mpox diagnosed?

To find out if you have mpox, your provider:

  • Will ask about your symptoms and health history.
  • Will look at your rash.
  • Will take a sample of tissue from one of the sores so it can be tested for mpox virus.
  • May do blood tests to check for mpox virus or for antibodies to the virus. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes to fight foreign substances, such as viruses and bacteria.

What are the treatments for mpox?

There are no treatments specifically for mpox, but many people get better on their own.

Since mpox and smallpox are similar, antiviral medicines that protect against smallpox may also help treat mpox. Antiviral medicines may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, such as patients who have weakened immune systems.

Can mpox be prevented?

There are steps you can take to help prevent mpox:

  • Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with the mpox rash. So, while a person is sick with mpox:
    • Do not touch their rash or scabs.
    • Do not kiss, hug, cuddle, or have sex with them.
    • Do not share eating utensils or cups with them.
  • Do not touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person who has mpox.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after contact with sick people.
  • In Central and West Africa, avoid contact with animals that can spread mpox virus, such as rodents and primates. Also, avoid sick or dead animals, as well as any bedding or other materials they have touched.

If you are sick with mpox it is recommended that you stay home while you are sick, if possible. If you have an active rash or other symptoms, it would be best to stay in a separate room from your family members and pets if you can.

The U.S. government has two vaccines in the U.S. to protect against mpox. One was approved for smallpox and mpox (JYNNEOS), and the other was approved for smallpox (ACAM2000):

  • JYNNEOS is the preferred vaccine to protect against mpox. It is a two-dose vaccine.
  • ACAM2000 may be an alternative to JYNNEOS. ACAM2000 is a single-dose vaccine. But it has the potential for more side effects and adverse events than JYNNEOS. And it is not recommended for people who are pregnant, are under 12 months old, have severely weakened immune systems, or have certain medical conditions.

The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to mpox or who are more likely to get mpox.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

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