Talking Points
What is Mpox?
- Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus.
- Common symptoms of Mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash.
An Mpox rash may…- Look like pimples or blisters
- Be painful or itchy
- Be on the inside of the mouth, face, hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus
- Overall, symptoms are usually mild or moderate and typically resolve within two to four weeks. Mpox is rarely fatal and can be treated with available antiviral medicines.
Mpox Transmission
- Skin-to-Skin Contact: Mpox spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with the infected rash, scabs, or body fluids.
- Respiratory Droplets: It can also spread through respiratory droplets during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or intimate physical contact with areas around the anus, rectum, or vagina.
- Infected Animals: Mpox can spread through sustained close contact with wild animals that carry Mpox naturally or an infected animal with Mpox.
Any person can contract Mpox, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. To date, most cases have been in men who have sex with men, and the general population is currently at low risk of contracting the infection.
Mpox Vaccination and Prevention
- Vaccination: The CDC recommends vaccination for those who have been in close contact with people who have Mpox. Eligibility for the Mpox vaccination varies locally but typically includes groups considered to be at high risk for Mpox infection.
- Prevention: In addition to vaccination, Mpox prevention habits that can lower the risk of infection include:
- Avoiding close contact with people who have a rash that looks like Mpox
- Avoiding contact with utensils that someone with Mpox has used
- Practicing frequent handwashing
- Individuals with Mpox should follow isolation guidance until the rash has healed and a new layer of skin has formed. Additionally, they should increase their hygiene efforts to prevent the spread.
Mpox Treatment
- There is no specific medicine or treatment for Mpox. Mpox is rarely fatal and mild symptoms can often be treated at home. In some cases, a healthcare professional may prescribe available antiviral medications. Most people with Mpox recover within two to four weeks without medical care.
