Monkeypox is a disease caused by the Monkeypox virus. Monkeypox is a virus that belongs to the same virus family (Poxviridae) which causes cowpox, smallpox, vaccinia and molluscum contagiosum. The pox viruses cause pox lesions and can leave pockmark scars after the rash has healed.
The monkeypox virus was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has been found in Western and Central Africa since then.
The current monkeypox virus disease outbreak started in May 2022. Cases have now been reported in more than 80 countries.
How do you get monkeypox?
How the monkeypox virus is transmitted is through close physical, intimate or sexual contact:
Contact with skin rash, scabs or body fluids with someone who has monkeypox.
Touching objects, surfaces, clothing bedding or towels used by someone with monkeypox rash.
Contact with respiratory secretions.
The monkeypox virus is able to be spread from when symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The monkeypox illness typically lasts 2–4 weeks.
Anyone can get monkeypox but the current global outbreak has disproportionately impacted:
men who have sex with men (MSM)
people who have sex with MSM which includes people of any gender or sexual identity, whether they are transgender or cisgender, and non-binary people.
Monkeypox Symptoms
Monkeypox develops as a rash, spots or blisters on the place on the body where the virus first infects. The skin symptoms may spread to other parts of the body such as the palms of the hand, soles of the feet, inside the mouth, or on the genitals.
What does the monkeypox rash look like?
The rash usually goes through 4 stages before the rash drys and the scabs fall off.
flat, discoloured lesions
solid, raised lesions
fluid-filled lesions
pus-filled lesions
scabs - crust, dry and fall off leaving pockmark scars
Other common symptoms of monkeypox can include:
fever, chills or swollen glands
respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough
headache
muscle aches, backache and body aches
tiredness
If you have caught the monkeypox virus symptoms will usually start within 3 weeks
The time from when you have contact with the monkey virus till when symptoms start is usually within 3 weeks. If symptoms are flu-like symptoms to start with the rash will often develop within 1 to 4 days.
Monkeypox illness usually lasts between 2 and 4 weeks, and most people recover fully without medical treatment.
Monkeypox is contagious from when you start having symptoms until the rash has healed, the scabs have fallen off and the skin has healed.
Testing for monkeypox
If you have symptoms of monkeypox you should see a healthcare provider to organize testing.
If you have had close physical contact with someone who has monkeypox you should take precautions to reduce spreading the virus and contact a healthcare provider to find out if you need to be tested.
To test for the virus a swab will be rubbed across the affected area. The swab will be sent away to a lab and your results should be available within a few days. While waiting for results you should take precautions to avoid spreading the virus in case you test positive.
Monkeypox treatment
Pain and fever: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) Mouth lesions: salt water rinses, chlorhexidine mouthwash or prescription mouthwashes Rash: do not touch or scratch the rash as this can spread the rash.
If the rash is painful local anesthetic gels can be used for temporary relief.
If the rash is itchy you may try an oral antihistamine or applying a topical anti-itch cream.
People who have weakened immune systems can become more severely ill and may be recommended an antiviral called tecovirimat (TPOXX) which is currently only indicated for use for smallpox. Tecovirimat studies are now underway for the treatment of monkeypox but it currently is not approved for this condition.
Monkeypox prevention
Prevention of monkeypox is by avoiding contact with infected animals and by reducing person to person transmission by isolating infected people, with caregivers following good infection containment practices.
Drugs used to treat Monkeypox
The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity
Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx
Prescription only.
OTC
Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC
Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label
This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA
An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access
Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N
FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M
The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U
CSA Schedule is unknown.
N
Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1
Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2
Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3
Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X
Interacts with Alcohol.
Further information
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