What is Mpox?

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can be transmitted to a person through contact with the virus from an animal, human, or materials contaminated with the virus. Person-to-person transmission of the virus could be through close contact, which can be via prolonged face-to-face contact, kissing, sharing clothes or bedding with someone who is infected. Entry of the virus is through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth).

 

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a person is contagious from the onset of the rash or lesions through the scab stage. However, once all scabs have fallen off, a person is no longer contagious. Mpox is preventable and manageable, and treatment for both mild and severe cases is available. People at high risk include those living with chronic conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes.

Anyone can contract the disease regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation and race. Most people with Mpox will recover within two to four weeks.

 

Symptoms

Symptoms of the disease include fever and headache.

Other symptoms are:

  • muscle aches
  • backache
  • chills
  • exhaustion
  • swelling of lymph nodes as well as
  • skin lesions or rash that usually develops between one to three days and spread all over the body.

 

Diagnosis

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), identifying Mpox can be difficult as other infections and conditions can look similar. However, the WHO said it was crucial to differentiate Mpox from chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, herpes, syphilis, other sexually transmissible infections, and medication-associated allergies. Mpox’s rash begins as a flat sore, which develops into a blister, filled with liquid and may be itchy or painful.

 

In addition, the agency said that people with the disease may also have another sexually transmissible infection such as herpes, while a child with a suspected infection may also have chickenpox. It is for this reason that the WHO believes testing is key for people to get treatment as early as possible and prevent the further spread.

 

Self-care and prevention

The WHO is recommending steps to take to help the symptoms and prevent infecting others. These are:

  • Stay at home and in your room if possible.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water or hand sanitiser, especially before or after touching sores.
  • Wear a mask and cover lesions when around other people until your rash heals.
  • Keep skin dry and uncovered unless in a room with someone else.
  • Avoid touching items in shared spaces and disinfect shared spaces frequently.
  • Use saltwater rinses for sores in the mouth.
  • Take sitz baths or warm baths with baking soda or Epsom salts for body sores.
  • Take over-the-counter medications for pain like paracetamol or ibuprofen.

 

 

Treatment

The incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) for Mpox is on average 7−14 days but can range from 5−21 days. Treatment is supportive, as with most viral infections. Most human cases of Mpox virus infection do not require any specific treatment and the disease resolves on its own. There are anti-viral drugs that a clinician may consider using for treatment of more severe cases of Mpox on a case-by-case basis. Alternatively, stay at home (isolate) and avoid close contact with other people.

 

The South African Health Department has received a batch of Mpox-specific treatment, Tecovirimat – also known as TPOXX or ST-246, for the treatment of patients who experience severe health complications because of Mpox disease.

 

The South African government, guided by WHO, is in the process of securing more treatment, including vaccines.

 

These will be administered to people at high risk of contracting the disease once they become available.

 

Vaccines used for smallpox can also provide protection against mpox.

 

According to the Department of Health, all mild cases will continue to be managed with supportive treatment used to manage complications like fever, pneumonia and skin infections.

 

Get the right information

Stay informed. Help stop the spread of misinformation and break the stigma associated with mpox to ensure that those affected seek medical attention. For accurate and up-to-date information, consult the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa and/or the World Health Organization.