MPox
MPox is a virus spread by skin to skin contact with an infected person. The virus can cause flu-like symptoms, fever, and a rash. MPox can be prevented by preventing contact with people who are infected and vaccination. People with MPox generally have symptoms for two to four weeks but can infect others during this time. Most people with MPox do not require medicine except for in severe cases.
How do you get MPox?
Most people get MPox by skin to skin contact with infected people. MPox can also infect people through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Anyone with MPox rash should avoid contact with others until they no longer have symptoms.
What are symptoms of MPox?
MPox symptoms begin 5-21 days after a person was exposed to someone that has the infection. The first symptoms include flu-like illness including fever and swollen lymph nodes (organs located throughout the body that play an important role in a healthy immune system) lasting for about 4 days. Next, the patient may develop a painful rash with bumps measuring 1cm wide that become crusted and scabbed. The rash may affect any part of the body and generally lasts for two weeks. Some patients may experience symptoms of sore throat.
How can I prevent getting MPox?
MPox can be prevented by avoiding contact with infected people. That is why, if you are infected, you should isolate at home until symptoms are gone. The MPox vaccine can also be used to stop infection. There are two different vaccines available depending on what is available at your healthcare provider. It is recommended that anyone who has been in contact with someone with MPox, anyone who has another sexually transmitted disease such as HIV or chlamydia, anyone who has more than one sexual partner, or anyone who has had sex in a sex club in the last 6 months. Certain communities may also be offered vaccines if there is a high number of infected people. If you do get vaccinated for MPox, the v-safe health checker app https://vsafe.cdc.gov/en/ can be used to keep check on symptoms after vaccination.
In addition to the vaccine, MPox can be prevented by hand washing and wearing a mask when in contact with people that are infected. It is also important to avoid having sex until the crusted or scabbed rash has gone away. If you have MPox, spreading MPox to others can be prevented by using a condom consistently for 12 weeks after symptoms have gone away.
What should I do if I think that I was exposed to MPox?
If you think that you are exposed to MPox, you should contact a healthcare professional. If a rash is present, you should stay isolated and avoid contact with others. It is also important to come up with a list of people that you may have been in contact with when you were infected so that you can tell them that they might also be infected. While informing others, It is helpful to think of what you would like others to do if they might have infected you and to be understanding of how others may feel when told this news. Anonymous notification websites such as tellyourpartner.org can also be used to tell people that you may have infected without revealing your identity. Additionally, members of your local health department may also be able to help notify people you might have infected.
