Mpox (MonkeyPox) Signs,Symptoms and Treatment
What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus that causes a rash and flu-like symptoms. Currently, monkeypox is spread throughout the world and within the United States primarily through close contact with an infected person, but historically it has also been transmitted to humans through contact with an infected animal.
Monkeypox is part of the same family of viruses as the variola virus, which causes smallpox. It causes similar but milder symptoms to smallpox and is rarely fatal. There are two known types of monkeypox viruses endemic to Africa: one that originated in Central Africa and another that originated in West Africa. The 2022 global outbreak is caused by a West African type virus, which usually causes less severe illness.
How is Monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox is spread when a person comes into contact with an animal or person infected with the virus. Transfer occurs through:
Direct contact with body fluids, sores, scabs, or respiratory droplets from an infected person. It can also happen during hugging, kissing, or sexual intercourse.
Contact with recently contaminated materials that have been damaged by skin, including clothing or bedding.
Scratches or bites from an infected animal, cooking or eating meat or other foods from an infected animal, or direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or sores of an infected animal.
Symptoms of Mpox (Monkey Pox)
After infection with monkeypox virus, the average incubation period is 1 to 2 weeks before symptoms appear.
Early signs of monkeypox include the following flu-like symptoms:
Shiver
Fatigue
High temperature
Headache
Muscle pain and back pain.
Swollen lymph nodes
These flu-like symptoms are usually accompanied by a rash. The rash may look like pimples or blisters and may be painful. Lesions may appear on the face, mouth, arms, legs, chest, genitals, or anus. Some people develop a rash first, followed by other flu-like symptoms, while others experience only a rash.
The rash goes through different stages, including pimple-like bumps and blisters that crust over and fall off before completely healing. The illness caused by monkeypox usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks.
When to Seek Medical Help for Monkeypox Symptoms
Call your doctor if you have:
Fever, pain, or swollen lymph nodes.
New rash or sores
Close contact with a person infected with monkeypox
Get emergency medical help if you:
stiff neck
Chest pain
Confusion
speech difficulties
Loss of consciousness
Loss of mobility
Convulsions
breathing problems
Preventing Monkeypox Infection
Anyone can get monkeypox, but it can be prevented by limiting close contact with people with confirmed or suspected monkeypox and getting vaccinated.
To prevent monkeypox infection, take the following precautions:
Avoid close contact with people who have been diagnosed with monkeypox or who have signs and symptoms of monkeypox, such as fever and rash; This includes not sharing bedding, towels, or utensils used by the infected person that may be contaminated with the skin lesion virus.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
If you have to be in close contact with someone who has monkeypox, wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose and wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water.
Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms first appear until the rash has completely healed.
If you suspect you have monkeypox or have been diagnosed with monkeypox, you should take steps to prevent spreading the disease to others, including any recommendations from your local health department:
If you have an active rash or other symptoms, if possible, stay in a separate room or area, away from people or pets you live with.
Isolate yourself at home until all skin lesions have crusted over and other symptoms have appeared.
Vaccination to Prevent Monkeypox
Vaccination can help prevent monkeypox infection in people who have had close contact with people who have or are suspected of having monkeypox or who are at high risk of getting monkeypox.
Two FDA-approved smallpox vaccines can also be used to prevent monkeypox: JYNNEOS, also known as Imvamune or Imvanex, and ACAM2000.
There is currently a very limited amount of JYNNEOS available for use in people who have been exposed to monkeypox or in people who are at high risk of infection. ACAM2000 is available, but requires special handling and use and is not suitable for many people, including people with certain skin conditions, pregnant women, or people with weakened immune systems.
A limited amount of vaccines are currently being distributed through local health departments, clinics and select health systems to eligible patients.
Diagnosis of Monkeypox
To diagnose monkeypox, a health care provider will take a swab from the skin lesion and send it to a laboratory for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that can detect the virus.
Monkeypox treatment and symptom management
Monkeypox symptoms usually last 2 to 4 weeks, and most people who get monkeypox recover on their own without treatment. However, there are things you can do to feel better, including:
Drink large amounts of fluids
Take a warm bath with oatmeal. Taking an oatmeal bath can relieve dry and itchy rashes.
Use pain relievers and antipyretics available without a prescription.
There are currently no treatments specifically designed for monkeypox. However, due to the similarities between monkeypox viruses and smallpox viruses, treatments such as antiviral drugs and immunoglobulin designed to protect against smallpox may be used to treat monkeypox virus infection, especially for people with severe symptoms.
If you have monkeypox, talk to your doctor for more information about your rights to certain treatments, including the antiviral drug ticovirmet.
