Expert issues Mpox 'infection' warning amid surge in cases
Searches for Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, are soaring 359% amid the latest global outbreak - and people are concerned about the infectious disease. Hundreds of thousands of cases have been reported, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring a global health emergency.
The highly contagious disease has killed at least 635 people during an initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But with concerns that the virus could spread, people are desperate to learn how to reduce the chances of infection.
Experts from the sexual wellness platform Bedbible answer the most common questions below. They also give advice on how to protect yourself and others from the disease.
What is Mpox?
Mpox is an infectious disease first found in humans in 1970, which the World Health Organization (WHO) explains as a viral illness. The disease is split into two clades, meaning two different types of Mpox: Clade I and clade II. According to the NHS, Mpox clade II is generally less severe.
What does an Mpox rash look like and what other symptoms are there?
The most noticeable symptom of Mpox is a rash that can be painful and appears on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, and on or near the genitals. Rashes can vary, with some people having only one or two bumps, while others have much bigger rashes. While it may look different on each individual, generally the rash consists of bumps that turn into blister-like sores. Additional symptoms include a sore throat, headaches, exhaustion, muscle aches, and back pain alongside swollen lymph nodes.
How do you catch Mpox?
The infection is spread largely through close contact, though you can catch it by touching contaminated materials or from wild animals. Animal-to-human infection has so far only been reported in countries with large Mpox outbreaks.
Mpox can be passed through sexual intimacy via any bodily fluids or from skin-to-skin contact. Presently, the WHO lists face-to-face, skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, and mouth-to-skin contact as being ways for the infection to spread.
How long does it take to show and how long do symptoms last?
The WHO lists Mpox’s incubation period, the time it takes to show, as 3-17 days. Most individuals present symptoms up to 21 days after the initial exposure. Symptoms tend to last between two and four weeks, and you are infectious the entire time you have the rash and symptoms. It is only once the scabs have fallen off and new skin has appeared that you are no longer infectious.
How is it treated?
Mpox is largely treated through pain management rather than medical intervention. It is mostly treated through supportive care, which reduces the pain caused by the rash.
What should I do if I contract Mpox?
Should you present symptoms of Mpox, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Ideally, call ahead of time and let them know your concerns and symptoms so they can best advise you without risk of contaminating others.
The WHO currently recommends isolating yourself as much as possible until your symptoms have gone. Their top advice includes regularly washing hands, wearing protection when you’re around others, and avoiding touching items in shared spaces. Additionally, The WHO recommends saltwater rinses for mouth sores, warm baths with baking soda or Epsom salts for body rashes, alongside paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain. Avoid trying to pop the blisters on the rash and do not shave near them, as this may spread the rash further and cause more pain.
How can I protect myself?
There are multiple ways you can lower your chances of infection. Firstly, you must regularly check your body for any symptoms if you believe you are at risk. While Mpox is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it is still good practice to consistently get checked for STIs. Anything that can weaken your immune system can make contracting Mpox worse.
If you have had sexual contact with anyone who may pose a risk, ensure that any and all toys used are cleaned and disinfected with sheets changed and, ideally, make sure you are wearing protection. It is a general rule of safe sex that items are cleaned after use. Avoid any encounters where you have any doubt. You must ensure it is a priority to have safe sexual encounters.
Secondly, be aware of how Mpox presents. Recognizing the symptoms can ensure you can spot it in other people and yourself, thus avoiding contact. If you can spot Mpox quickly, then you are less likely to pass it on to others and more likely to avoid contact if you spot it.
Another way to protect yourself is by getting a vaccine. The NHS has a smallpox vaccine approved that can help prevent Mpox, though this is mostly for those at higher risk of exposure including healthcare workers, gay and bisexual men who 'have multiple partners, participate in group sex or attend sex-on-premises venues' and people who have had close contact with Mpox.
Overall, it is important to look after your health during this time. Mpox is currently largely concentrated in African countries, specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo, and low numbers have been reported globally. Still, it is important to take measures ahead of time to ensure your safety.