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Mpox
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Mpox Resources
About Mpox
Mpox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with mpox virus. Mpox belongs to the same gruop of viruses that includes smallpox and cowpox. Mpox cases in humans in the U.S. have been linked to international travel as well as imported animals.
Symptoms
Mpox symptoms can include:
Fever and chills
Headache
Muscle aches and backache
Swollen lymph nodes
Exhaustion
Mpox also includes a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. See examples of mpox rash here.
The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience the rash.
Spread
Mpox virus can spread:
- When a person comes in contact with an infected animal
- Through direct contact with body fluid or sores of an infected person
- Through direct contact with contaminated materials, such as clothing or bedding
- Through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact with an infected person
What Should I Do If I Have Mpox?
Talk to a healthcare provider if you think you have mpox. Mpox can occur at the same time as other infections, like sexually transmitted infections. This includes gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV. You healthcare provider may also test and treat you for other infections.
How do I Isolate?
If you have mpox or mpox symptoms, isolate at home away from others.
- Isolate until your rash is fully healed (scabs fallen off and a fresh layer of skin forms).
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water.
- Stay in a separate room or area from other household members and pets.
- Limit using shared household areas as much as possible.
- Do not have visitors in your home during isolation.
Avoid close contact with other people in your home.
Avoid close contact with pets in your home.
Close contact is being within 6 feet of someone with mpox.
Avoid sharing items with other people in your home that could become contaminated (bedding, clothing, towels and wash cloths, drinking glasses, eating utensils, and others).
Use coversheets, waterproof mattress covers, blankets, or tarps over any surface that cannot be washed (like upholstered furniture or porous surfaces).
You can leave your home and sick room for emergency or necessary medical care.
If you need to leave your home during isolation, cover any skin rash with bandages, long pants and long sleeves, or dress. Also wear a well-fitting mask.
Use a separate bathroom from others in your home, if possible.
If not possible, clean and disinfect surfaces (counters, toilet seats, faucets) with an EPA-registered cleaning product after using.
For more information about mpox isolation, visit Isolation and Prevention Practices for People with Mpox.
Contact a healthcare provider right away if:
- You have blood in your urine.
- You have difficulty urinating.
- You are unable to retract your foreskin.
- Your foreskin cannot return to a normal position after being retracted.
- You are unable to pass a bowel movement.
- You have blood in your stool.
- You develop diarrhea.
- You have pain that you cannot manage at home.
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