A Global Health Issue: Here’s what to know about mpox

The article is from our special issue on Mpox. You can access the full issue here.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is officially a global health emergency (again).

After making headlines in 2022, mpox is once again considered a public health crisis by the World Health Organization.

And like last time, health officials warn it is primarily spreading through prolonged intimate contact — yes, that means sex.

Not super familiar with mpox? Need a refresher? No worries — here’s everything you need to know to stay healthy. 

 

What is mpox?

Mpox is a viral disease caused by the mpox virus, which is in the same family of viruses as smallpox. 

It has two strands: clade I and clade II. Both have two subsections, so the full list is clade Ia, clade Ib, clade IIa and clade IIb. 

The 2022-23 version of mpox was mainly clade IIb; this time around, it is moreso clade Ia and Ib. 

According to the CDC, the clade II form of mpox is still going around at low levels, although there has been a recent increase in cases. The clade I form had its first reported case in the US in November. An outbreak in parts of Africa sparked the WHO’s August declaration of a global health emergency, and the November case in the US was a traveler who went to East Africa.

 

How can you get mpox?

Generally, you can get mpox if you’re exposed to an infected person or animal, or contaminated materials. 

Right now, health officials say prolonged intimate contact is the main way mpox is spreading. So, basically, primarily, sex.

But you don’t necessarily need to have sex with an infected person in order to get infected. If you have direct contact with body fluids, scabs or sores of someone infected, you could still get the virus. Same goes for face-to-face contact, including breathing and kissing. 

 

What are some common symptoms of mpox?

Some of the more common symptoms include:

• Rashes
• Fever
• Headache and muscle aches
• Low energy
• Swollen lymph nodes

You might also notice some more common cold-type symptoms, like a sore throat. 

Symptoms typically start within a week of exposure, but WHO says they can really set in anywhere from one day to three weeks after.

Mpox tends to last somewhere from two weeks to a month. As long as you have symptoms, you’re considered contagious, according to the CDC. 

 

Can you tell me more about these rashes?

According to WHO, the mpox rashes typically start on the face before spreading over the body. If you’re infected by some sort of sexual contact, the rashes may start in the genital area. 

Here’s how WHO describes what to look for: “It starts as a flat sore, which develops into a blister filled with liquid that may be itchy or painful. As the rash heals, the lesions dry up, crust over and fall off.” 

 

What should I do if I get mpox?

You should definitely call a health practitioner or your local health department. 

Once someone has mpox, a lot of the treatment focuses on taking care of the rashes and general pain management. Most folks recover within a month. You’ll probably need to isolate yourself at home for a bit. Here are some guidelines on how to do that.

And for those taking care of someone with mpox, make sure to wipe down surfaces and wash stuff like towels and bedding. Also consider wearing gloves and/or a mask. 

Once you have mpox, you can try things like saltwater rinses if you have sores in your mouth 

and taking a bath with Epsom salts or baking soda for sores elsewhere. Common painkillers can also help. 

WHO recommends that you don’t do anything to irritate your skin, so no scratching sores or shaving the area until a new layer of skin forms. If you need to be near others, you should cover any sores with clothing and wear a mask. 

If your symptoms seem to be getting worse, consider going to the ER or reaching out to a healthcare professional. 

But, good news: There is a vaccine. And if you realize you’ve come in contact with someone with mpox quick enough — like, within two weeks — getting the vaccine can help. WHO says a post-exposure vaccine may help even up to two weeks after, as long as you don’t have symptoms. 

 

How is mpox prevented?

Again, good news: There’s a vaccine.

Reach out to your healthcare provider or local health department for more details on where and how you can get the vaccine. 

Also, knowing how it spreads is key. Avoid direct contact with people actively infected by mpox, especially any type of contact that could be considered intimate. Following similar safety precautions to those for COVID-19, like wearing a mask, staying home and regularly washing your hands, can help, too. 

Heads up, though: Using condoms during sex will not completely prevent the spread of mpox, but it will reduce the risk. 

And if you’ve recently had mpox, avoid having sex with new partners for around three months. 

 

Who is affected most by mpox?

If you’re at some intersection of these categories, the WHO considers you to be at a higher risk of getting mpox: 

• Healthcare workers who do not have proper protective equipment
• Those with multiple sex partners, “including men who have sex with men”
• Sex workers and their clients of all gender identities. 

A lot of the stigma around mpox focuses on folks in the queer community, particularly men who have sex with men and trans people, according to WHO. 

In Kentucky, all but one of the reported mpox cases are from men.

 

Where can I find data about mpox cases? 

You can check out Kentucky’s mpox case dashboard right here, and a more global look at mpox cases and deaths can be found on the CDC’s website.

The article is from our special issue on Mpox. You can access the full issue here.