Mpox

Overview

Mpox spreads through close skin-to-skin contact, including sex, and through contaminated bedding.

Sores can be very painful, especially in the mouth or rectum.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Painful rash or sores
• Pimple-like bumps that turn into blisters or scabs

Less common

• Fever
• Swollen glands
• Rectal pain
• Sore throat

When to get medical care

Causes

Mpox virus.

Does it spread or run in families?

• Yes, it can spread from person to person.
• How it spreads: touch, coughs, or sneezes.
• Washing hands often and staying home when sick help protect others.

Diagnosis

A swab of a sore.

Treatment

Isolate and care.

Self-care

• Cover sores
• Avoid close contact until healed
• Cover sores
• Wash hands often

Medicines

Medicines that may help:

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

Prevention

To prevent:

• Vaccine

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to an infectious disease specialist, for hard-to-treat infections.

Back to school, work, or sports

• Stay home until you've had no fever for 24 hours without fever medicine and you're feeling better.
• For the next 5 days, wash hands often and wear a mask around others.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• People with weak immune systems: Higher risk.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Most recover.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• Should I get the vaccine?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Mpox