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Mpox

About Mpox

Mpox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with mpox virus. Mpox belongs to the same group of viruses that includes smallpox and cowpox. Mpox cases in humans in the U.S. have been linked to international travel as well as imported animals.

Symptoms

Mpox symptoms can include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches and backache
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Exhaustion
  • Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

Mpox also includes a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. See examples of mpox rash here.

The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience the rash.

Contact a healthcare provider right away if:

  • You have blood in your urine.
  • You have difficulty urinating.
  • You are unable to retract your foreskin.
  • Your foreskin cannot return to a normal position after being retracted.
  • You are unable to pass a bowel movement.
  • You have blood in your stool.
  • You develop diarrhea.
  • You have pain that you cannot manage at home.

Spread

Mpox virus can spread:

  • When a person comes in contact with an infected animal.
  • Through direct contact with body fluid or sores of an infected person.
  • Through direct contact with contaminated materials, such as clothing or bedding.
  • Through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact with an infected person.

Prevention

ACIP recommends the 2-dose JYNNEOS series to several populations and for different indications.

  • For pre-exposure vaccination of people at risk for occupational exposure to orthopoxviruses (as an alternative to ACAM2000).
  • For people aged 18 years and older with the following risks:
    • Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender or nonbinary people who in the pasat 6 months have had one of the following:
      • A new diagnosis of ≥1 sexually transmitted disease.
      • More than one sex partner.
      • Sex at a commercial sex venue.
      • Sex in association with a large public event in a geographic area where mpox transmission is occurring.
  • For people aged 18 years and older who are traveling to a country with a clade I mpox outbreak and anticipate participating in the following activities during travel:
    • Sex with a new partner.
    • Sex at a commercial sex venue (e.g., sex club or bathhouse).
    • Sex in exchange for money, goods, drugs, or other trade.
    • Sex in association with a large public event (e.g., rave, party, or festival).
  • Before traveling, you should receive two vaccine doses about 4 weeks apart. You are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after your second vaccine.
  • Please note: Mpox vaccine is commercially available and covered by most healthcare plans, however, supply may be limited. Contact the clinic in advance to confirm availability.

What Should I Do If I Have Mpox?

Talk to a healthcare provider if you think you have mpox. Mpox can occur at the same time as other infections, like sexually transmitted infections. This includes gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV. Your healthcare provider may also test and treat you for other infections.

Prevent Spread to Others

If you have mpox or mpox symptoms, isolate at home away from others.

  • Isolate until your rash is fully healed (scabs fallen off and a fresh layer of skin forms).
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water.
  • Avoid close contact with other people in your home.
  • Avoid close contact with pets in your home.
  • Close contact is being within 6 feet of someone with mpox.
  • You can leave your home and sick room for emergency or necessary medical care.
  • If you need to leave your home during isolation, cover any skin rash with bandages, long pants and long sleeves, or dress. Also wear a well-fitting mask.
  • Stay in a separate room or area from other household members and pets.
  • Limit using shared household areas as much as possible.
  • Do not have visitors in your home during isolation.
  • Avoid sharing items with other people in your home that could become contaminated (bedding, clothing, towels and wash cloths, drinking glasses, eating utensils, and others).
  • Use coversheets, waterproof mattress covers, blankets, or tarps over any surface that cannot be washed (like upholstered furniture or porous surfaces).
  • Use a separate bathroom from others in your home, if possible.
  • If not possible, clean and disinfect surfaces (counters, toilet seats, faucets) with an EPA-registered cleaning product after using.

For more information about mpox isolation, visit Isolation and Prevention Practices for People with Mpox.

Manage Your Symptoms

  • Drink plenty of water and other clear fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Keep sores clean and dry when you are not showering or bathing.
  • Your healthcare provider may talk to you about using these steps based on your symptoms:
    • Itching
      • Use over-the-counter oral antihistamines (like diphenhydramine/Benadryl, cetirizine, or hydroxyzine).
      • Use topical ointments like calamine lotion or petroleum jelly (Vaseline, etc.)
    • Mouth pain or sores
      • Use prescription mouthwash. This helps mouth pain and keeps sores clean.
      • Use topical over-the-counter oral gels to reduce pain (like Orajel). Talk to your healthcare provider about how much to use.
    • Sores in the genital or anal regions
      • Use warm sitz baths.
      • Use topical pain-relief gels or creams (like RectiCare) to provide temporary relief.
    • Proctitis (swelling of the lining of the rectum internal to the anus)
      • Use stool softeners like docusate and warm sitz baths.
      • Use over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen.
      • Your healthcare provider may prescribe other pain medications. Discuss side effects with them before taking any other medications.
    • Nausea and/or vomiting
      • Talk to your healthcare provider about prescription medications to control nausea.
    • Diarrhea
      • Drink plenty of water and fluids with electrolytes to stay hydrated.
      • Over-the-counter medications are not recommended.
    • Bacterial infections
      • Talk to your healthcare provider about if and when you may need antibiotics.

Mpox Treatment in Maine

Many people with mpox have mild symptoms. Most people with mpox fully recover within 2 to 4 weeks.

Mpox treatment includes supportive care to manage symptoms like pain and rashes. Patients who are very sick with mpox or may be at higher risk of getting very sick could benefit from medications to treat mpox. Medications to treat mpox include an antiviral medication called tecovirimat (TPOXX). This mediation was originally developed to treat smallpox and may help to treat mpox, since the viruses that cause mpox and smallpox are similar. For patients who may be at high risk for severe mpox, use TPOXX early in the course of illness along with supportive care and pain control.

People who are more likely to get severely ill include:

  • People who have a weakened immune system. This could include HIV that isn't controlled, people with certain cancers or organ transplants, and people taking medicines that make the immune system not work as well.
  • People with certain skin conditions. This could include atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or Darier disease.
  • People who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • People who are under 18 years of age.

People who are severely ill from mpox may have:

  • Sores that cover 25% or more of their skin.
  • Symptoms that affect the airway, heart, or nervous system.
  • Sores around or in the eyes.

If you have symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help decide if mpox treatment is right for you.

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