Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection that causes painful rashes throughout the body, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. It spreads through physical contact with other people or animals that have the virus, by spit droplets, from a parent to a child during pregnancy, or by touching items recently used by someone with the virus.
Mpox infections can last up to four weeks. There’s no treatment for an active mpox case, but a vaccine is available to prevent getting the infection.
There are two types of mpox infection, clade 1 and 2. The two types cause very similar symptoms, but symptoms and their locations can vary.
Clade 1 is the more severe mpox and is found in Central African countries, like Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recent clade 1 outbreaks had a mortality rate of up to 3.3%.
Clade 2 is the less severe form with a mortality rate of less than 0.1%. It is commonly found in West African countries like Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Ghana. Outbreaks of clade 2 started the global mpox outbreak in 2022.
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Mpox symptoms usually start a few weeks after the initial infection. Once symptoms begin, the illness typically lasts two to four weeks, with symptoms lasting longer for individuals with weakened immune systems.
The most common symptom is a rash with sores that look like pimples. This rash typically starts on the face and spreads over the body, including hands, feet, genitals, and chest. The sores are firm, rubbery circles. As the disease worsens, these sores often develop umbilication, a small dent in the skin that resembles a belly button. Rash sores will often be itchy and fill up with pus before scabbing over and healing.
Other symptoms you may experience alongside the mpox rash include:
- Fever and chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fatigue
- Headaches, muscle pain
- Sore throat, nasal congestion, and coughing
Most cases of mpox clear up on their own. Some people may become very sick, causing multiple complications that can sometimes be fatal.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org
An mpox infection occurs when someone with the virus passes it along through skin-to-skin contact, body fluids, or objects that have come into close contact with the virus. The mpox virus can spread from person to person or from animal to person.
Some other ways a person can get mpox include:
- If you have mpox while pregnant and pass it along to your baby
- An animal that has mpox scratches or bites you
- If you touch an animal carcass or interact with wild animals (hunting, trapping, skinning, cooking, etc).
Mpox Risk Factors
While mpox can affect anyone, some people are at higher risk of developing severe illness if they contract mpox.
Children, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems, including those going through cancer treatment or who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are at a higher risk of getting a more severe form of the infection.
Mpox is diagnosed with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. A PCR test can detect the viral DNA in the body. For this test, your healthcare provider will use a swab to take a sample from the mpox rash, crusts, or fluid on the skin, or your mouth or throat if you don’t have a rash. Results are usually available within two to four days after taking the test.
Your healthcare provider will likely perform a physical exam and ask you about your recent symptoms, as well as whether you have recently traveled to a region of the world with mpox outbreaks. If necessary, they may also perform other diagnostic testing to rule out other conditions like HIV, varicella-zoster viruses, such as chicken pox or shingles, herpes, or syphilis.
There are no treatment options for mpox infections. Infections typically go away on their own with time.
While there’s no treatment that can cure mpox, there are ways to help manage symptoms if you have it, such as:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications: This includes Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen), which can help relieve body aches and itching symptoms.
- Topical gels or creams: This includes benzocaine or lidocaine gels or calamine lotion, which can help you manage rashes and itchiness.
- Prescription mouthwashes: These can help with pain from an mpox rash in your mouth.
- Antiviral medications: Your healthcare provider may prescribe these if you have mpox and a weakened immune system from conditions like HIV.
At-home remedies to soothe rashes include sitz baths (baths that only involve soaking the genital area) and rinsing your mouth with salt water several times a day.
Try to avoid popping or scratching sores or shaving the areas around your sores. This can slow down healing and potentially spread the sores to other parts of your body.
Getting the mpox vaccine, known as JYNNEOS, can help prevent mpox. The vaccine is given in two doses, four weeks apart, and can be up to 95% effective at preventing mpox. People who still get sick after being vaccinated have less severe symptoms than people who don’t get the vaccine.
Mpox is also preventable if you avoid close contact with people who have the infection.
If you already have mpox, you can prevent the spread by:
- Isolating at home in a well-ventilated room or a hospital, if possible
- Washing your hands often with soap or hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching objects in shared spaces
- Wearing a mask and covering your lesions as best you can
- Using condoms during sex for at least three months after you’ve recovered
Mpox can cause multiple complications. Children, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems are at high risk for developing mpox-related complications.
Some complications of mpox may include:
- Pneumonia
- Infections in the eyes, brain, heart, blood, or urinary tract (organs that make and remove pee)
- Swelling that makes it difficult to swallow
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
An mpox infection can cause significant discomfort and severely impact quality of life. While there isn’t a cure, mpox infections typically clear up on their own, and there are many options to help manage and relieve symptoms, such as pain relievers, prescription oral (by mouth) or topical medications, and at-home remedies like sitz baths
If you’ve recently traveled to an area with mpox outbreaks and are experiencing symptoms of mpox, contact a healthcare provider for a diagnosis and symptom management.
