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Mpox

Mpox conditions, Symptoms and Treatment in London

Mpox, which was formerly referred to as monkeypox, is a rare viral disease similar to smallpox. If you have this infection, you may notice rashes or symptoms identical to flu. Similar to smallpox, mpox is from the Orthopoxvirus genus. This viral infection is transmitted to people when they come in contact with an infected individual. It can also be gotten from animals who are infected.

There are 2 types of mpox viruses based on their origin. The first originates from central Africa, namely Clade I, while the other originates from West Africa, namely Clade II. Clade IIb is the one responsible for the world outbreak between 2022 and 2023, and it is a West African Clade subtype.

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How common is mpox?

This virus is rare, but there is an increasing number of infections in Africa as well as communities where there might have been an outbreak of this infection.

Which other regions is mpox common?

Mpox is commonly found in Africa but is beginning to change as it is occasionally seen in other countries, including the UK. In 2022, there were cases of outbreaks outside of Africa in Australia, Europe, America, and the UK.

Who does mpox affect?

Mpox can affect anyone. The most common cases of mpox in Africa are in children under the age of 15 years. Outside this region, mpox infections might occur more among men who have sex with men (MSM), but there are also a lot of cases of this infection in people outside this category.

What are the symptoms of mpox?

You may notice symptoms a couple of days or weeks after potential exposure to this virus. They may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Chills
  • Rashes
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches

The earliest signs of the bumps will be a flat, reddish bump, and you may experience pain. After a while, they develop into pus-filled blisters and may later on have crusts and fall off. This might take, on average, 2 – 4 weeks.

You may also get sores on the genitals (penis, anus, or vagina), hands, feet, mouth or face. If you have mpox, you may not notice these symptoms. You might experience mpox differently with symptoms like:

  • A widespread rash, but some people may have just a few blisters and bumps
  • Only a rash and no other symptoms or the other symptoms happen much later
  • Symptoms similar to that of flu, then bumps much later

You can have mpox and be asymptomatic (showing no symptoms). This does not mean you can not transmit the infection to others if you have elongated contact, so kindly get tested if you feel you might be at risk of being exposed to the mpox virus.

How does this virus spread?

This virus commonly spreads when you come in bodily contact with an infected individual or animal. Human–human transmission happens when you have physical contact with the scabs, sores, oral fluids, and respiratory droplets of the infected person, and this is mostly with close contact during kissing, sex or cuddling. Research is ongoing as to whether the mpox virus can be transmitted through vaginal fluids or semen.

Animal-to-human transmission occurs when you get a bite or scratch through broken skin or when an infected animal’s blood, pox lesions, or bodily fluid comes in direct contact with you.

Apart from direct contact with animals or humans, you can also get infected if you come in contact with a recently infected material such as towels, bedding or the like by an infected person or animal.

How is this infection diagnosed?

Due to the most common symptom of this virus being a rash and its rare occurrence, your doctor may suspect other rash illnesses such as chickenpox or measles. However, the swelling on the lymph nodes is a distinguishing factor of mpox from other rash illnesses.

A sample will be collected from an open sore by your medical practitioner for diagnosis. This sample will be sent to the lab for a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction). They may also collect a blood sample to check for antibodies that your immune system produces in response to mpox.

Can mpox be cured?

In many cases, mpox symptoms may self-resolve, meaning they may disappear without treatment after 2 – 4 weeks of showing symptoms. After diagnosis, the doctor will monitor your progress and prescribe medications to prevent dehydration and relieve you of the symptoms. If you develop secondary infections, you may be given antibiotics.

How can I treat Mpox?

The majority of antiviral treatments currently available are not approved. If the sickness is serious, your doctor may prescribe tecovirimat or cidofovir antiviral medications. These medications have been approved to treat viral infections like smallpox, which is identical to mpox. Further research is ongoing as regards the treatment of this condition.

How can I prevent mpox?

If you feel you might be at risk of getting mpox, getting vaccinated might be your best option to stay healthy and avoid getting infected. You can prevent this infection by reducing interaction with people and animals that you think might be affected by mpox.

Getting vaccinated for mpox

Vaccines given to people for smallpox are also effective in protecting people against mpox. Mpox vaccines are only recommended for persons who are at risk of potential exposure to mpox or people already exposed to mpox. The following things might increase your risk of exposure including:

  • You have had sex in a location or event where mpox was rampant
  • You have been in close physical contact with someone infected with mpox
  • Someone you recently had sex with has just been diagnosed with the mpox virus
  • You have gone to a sex house for sex or other public sex locations in the past 6 months
  • If your sex partner might have been in one of the above situations
  • You have been in one or more of the above situations

If you are a non-binary or transgender person or a man who has sex with men, you may also be at risk of the following:

  • Had sex with more than one partner within the last 6 months
  • Being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection like HIV, chlamydia, syphilis or gonorrhoea within the last 6 months

You should reach out to your healthcare professional to get vaccinated if you feel you are at risk of potential exposure or just recently got exposed to mpox. You can discuss with your healthcare practitioner if you want to receive your shot in a disclosed part of your body and if you have any other worries about STIs.

Additional ways to prevent your partner from mpox

Other than vaccination, you can do the following to prevent the spread of the mpox virus.

  • Engaging in protected sex (condoms and dental dams)
  • Avoiding physical contact with infected animals
  • Frequently washing your hands with water and soap
  • Properly cooking food with animal meats
  • Avoid close contact with people who may have mpox virus
  • Avoid contact with personal materials or general materials contaminated with mpox
  • Wearing a mask if you are around other people
  • Regularly disinfecting surfaces that are frequently touched.

How long does this virus last?

This virus typically takes 2 – 4 weeks, and you may show symptoms during this period. Your doctor may monitor you closely until the rash has disappeared.

Is mpox dangerous?

It rarely occurs, but there are a few instances where it can get fatal. Mpox can lead to health complications like encephalitis and pneumonia, and they can be life-threatening.

How can I care for myself if I have mpox?

If you are showing symptoms of mpox, you can take over-the-counter medications to make you feel better or try one of the following:

  • Isolate yourself after infection: Isolating yourself or avoiding contact with others can help prevent you from spreading this virus until your lesions have scabbed.
  • Avoid contact with rodents or other pets.
  • Cover your sores or local ulcers. Make use of a bandage or gauze to reduce the chances of spreading mpox to others and your surroundings.
  • Oatmeal baths. Soaking yourself in colloidal oatmeal and a warm bath can help relieve the itchy, dry feeling from the rash.
  • Pain relievers: Medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) can help you relieve mpox symptoms
  • Take proper care of yourself: It is vital to stay indoors and rest properly if you are sick. Also, you should drink a lot of water or other fluids and wear a mask around.
  • Regularly clean and disinfect your environment, especially frequently touched surfaces.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see a doctor if:

  • Have new rashes or sores on your body
  • Feel sick with aches, fever, or your lymph nodes become swollen.
  • You have been in contact with an infected person.

Should I go to the ER?

You won’t need to go to the ER if you have mpox unless one of the following happens to you, including:

  • Stiff neck
  • Trouble breathing
  • Seizures
  • Difficulty moving or speaking
  • Worsening or new chest pain
  • Difficulty thinking clearly
  • Loss of consciousness

Frequently Asked Questions

There is a stigma attached to monkeypox and also complaints related to race. The name, monkeypox, was changed by the WHO (World Health Organisation) in November 2022.

They both cause rashes on the skin but are caused by different viruses. Chickenpox is caused by herpes virus, whereas mpox is caused by orthopoxvirus. They have similarities in how they spread as they both spread through skin-to-skin contact, but chickenpox is more contagious and spreads faster than mpox. Swollen lymph nodes are a symptom more common in people with mpox as compared to people with chickenpox.

The sores in mpox might differ slightly as they occur simultaneously, while in chickenpox, the rashes can happen in waves. You can notice a significant improvement in the rash and general symptoms within 2 weeks, while mpox takes 2- to 4 weeks to resolve.

Mpox and smallpox are both caused by viruses in the Orthopoxvirus genus. The symptoms of smallpox are similar to mpox, but mpox appears to be milder. With the help of vaccines, the circulation of smallpox has ceased since 1980. Mpox is also less contagious than smallpox.