How do I get Mpox?

Mpox (formerly known as monkey pox) is a disease caused by a virus. Until recently, mpox cases primarily occurred in Africa, but now it is spreading to countries like the United States.

How do I catch mpox?

Anyone can get mpox. There are several ways you can get the virus:

• Touching sores, scabs, or bodily fluids of an infected person
• Breathing in respiratory secretions when face-to-face with an infected person
• Touching materials like bed linens or clothing that has touched the sores of an infected person or animal
• Handling the carcass of an infected animal
• Being bitten by infected animal
• Using products or eating meat from an infected animal

At this point, the majority of cases in the United States appear to be in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. However, this doesn't mean this is the only group at risk. Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, is at risk for mpox.

What are the symptoms of mpox?

Early signs of mpox include flu-like symptoms that occur a few days to a few weeks after being exposed. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion
• Respiratory symptoms (e.g., sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

People with mpox often get a rash that may be located on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth or near the genitals, including penis, testicles, labia, and vagina, and anus. After a few days of flu-like symptoms, a rash develops. Not everyone develops all of the symptoms, and the rash may appear as only a few lesions.

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Is mpox curable?

Most people with mpox tend feel better on their own. The disease typically runs its course in two to four weeks. At this time there are currently no treatments for mpox, but your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter medications to relieve your symptoms or prescribe an antibiotic if secondary infections develop. There are two vaccines that are effective against mpox. Click here for more information to see if you qualify to be vaccinated.

Summary

Mpox is a relatively rare disease typically found in Africa, but cases are emerging in other countries like the United States. As medication and vaccine experts, pharmacists have specialized training in educating patients and consumers about diseases and the best options to treat them or relieve symptoms.