What is mpox?

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a disease caused by a virus. The mpox virus is from the same family of viruses as smallpox. Mpox and smallpox have similar symptoms. But mpox symptoms are milder, and it rarely causes death. Mpox isn't related to chickenpox.

Mpox spreads through close person-to-person contact, such as cuddling. It may spread when you touch items used by someone with mpox, like their blankets. If you're pregnant and have the virus, it can spread it to your baby (fetus). The virus can also spread from animals to people.

Symptoms include a painful rash and a fever. Symptoms last for about 2 to 4 weeks. Most children can be cared for at home. If your child is very sick or more likely to get very sick, or if the rash is in a very painful spot, antiviral medicines may be needed. Sometimes mpox is treated in the hospital.

Symptoms may include:

• A painful rash.
• A fever.
• Swollen glands.
• Feeling very tired.
• A headache.
• Chills.
• A sore throat.
• A stuffy nose.
• A cough.

The rash can show up anywhere on your body, such as on your genitals, anus, mouth, arms, or legs. A rash can have one bump or many bumps, and it may be painful. At first, the bumps may look like flat spots. Over time, they may look like pimples or pus-filled blisters. The bumps scab over and may be itchy as they heal. The scabs will fall off, and there will be a new layer of skin as the rash heals. This may take a month or more.

Some people don't get symptoms.

Most cases are treated at home with rest and pain medicines. If you are very sick or more likely to get very sick, your doctor may give you an antiviral medicine. You may also get this medicine if the rash is in a very painful spot. Some people are treated in the hospital.

To avoid getting or spreading mpox, try to:

• Avoid close contact with people who have symptoms. This includes:
  • Kissing, cuddling, or having sex with them.
  • Spending a long time sitting and talking with them.
  • Touching their rash or scabs from their rash.
  • Touching their bedding, towels, or clothing.
  • Sharing their utensils or cups.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Get a vaccine if you're at risk. Check with your doctor or local health department. You might want to get a vaccine if you:
  • Have had a known or possible exposure to mpox.
  • Are a man who has sex with men or are transgender or nonbinary.
  • Have HIV.
  • Have been recently diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
  • Have a new sex partner.
• Stay home if you have symptoms. Try to:
  • Cover the rash with clothing or bandages.
  • Wear a mask if you're around others.
  • Wash your clothes, sheets, and towels separately.
  • Cover furniture with sheets or blankets. Wash them as needed.
• If you're caring for someone who has mpox, wear a mask and gloves. Throw away gloves after use.
• If you travel to Central or West Africa, avoid contact with animals that can spread mpox, including rodents and primates.

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam. You may also be asked about travel and if you know anyone who has symptoms. If your doctor suspects that you have mpox, they will swab the rash for testing. They may also check for infections like herpes.

• Make sure your child gets rest and drinks plenty of fluids.
• Cover the rash with clothing or bandages.
• Wear gloves when changing your child's bandages and clothing. Throw gloves away after use. Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Try to keep your child from scratching the rash or touching their eyes.
• If your child is older than 2, have them wear a mask when around others, if you can. Wear a mask when caring for your child.
• Keep your child home from school or childcare and away from other people and pets until they no longer have symptoms and the rash has healed. This can take a month or more.
• Ask your doctor if you can give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to help with pain. Do not use ibuprofen if your child is less than 6 months old unless the doctor gave you instructions to use it. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Do not give your child two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
• If your doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain or to treat the virus, read and follow all instructions on the label. Call your doctor if your child has problems with the medicines.
• Have your child stay away from other people until your child no longer has symptoms. This means that the rash blisters have scabbed over, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed where the scabs used to be.

Mpox is spread through close contact with an infected person or animal.

You may get mpox if you:

• Kiss, cuddle with, or have sex with someone who has it.
• Spend a long time sitting and talking with someone who has it.
• Touch the rash, scabs, or bodily fluids of someone who has it.
• Touch items used by someone who has it, including towels, bedding, and clothing.
• Are bitten or scratched by an animal with mpox.
• Eat meat or other products from an infected animal.

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a disease caused by a virus. If you have it, you may get a painful rash along with other symptoms. Mpox is from the same family of viruses as smallpox. They have similar symptoms, but mpox symptoms are milder. It rarely causes death. Mpox isn't related to chickenpox.