What is mpox or Monkeypox

 

"Following a series of consultations with global experts, WHO has begun using a new preferred term “mpox” as a synonym for monkeypox."

Philippines reports first case of mpox this year; strain not yet known.  

According to WHO:

Mpox is an illness caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a viral infection which can spread between people, mainly through close contact, and occasionally from the environment to people via things and surfaces that have been touched by a person with mpox. In settings where the monkeypox virus is present among some wild animals, it can also be transmitted from infected animals to people who have contact with them.

Mpox can cause a range of signs and symptoms. 

• While some people have less severe symptoms, others may develop more serious illness and need care in a health facility. 
• Common symptoms of mpox include a rash which may last for 2–4 weeks. 
• This may start with, or be followed by, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands (lymph nodes). 
• The rash looks like blisters or sores, and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, genital and/or anal regions. 
• These lesions may also be found in the mouth, throat, anus, rectum or vagina, or on the eyes. The number of sores can range from one to several thousand. 
• Some people develop inflammation inside the rectum (proctitis) that can cause severe pain, as well as inflammation of the genitals that may cause difficulties urinating. 

Mpox can be transferred via:

Anyone can get mpox. It spreads from contact with infected.

• persons, through touch, kissing, or sex
• animals, when hunting, skinning, or cooking them 
• materials, such as contaminated sheets, clothes or needles
• pregnant persons, who may pass the virus on to their unborn baby

The goal of treating mpox is to take care of the rash, manage pain and prevent complications.

Most people with mpox will recover within 2–4 weeks. Things to do to help the symptoms and prevent infecting others:

Do

• Stay home and in your own room if possible
• Wash hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer, 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 (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen

Do not

• Pop blisters or scratch sores, which can slow healing, spread the rash to other parts of the body, and cause sores to become infected
• Shave areas with sores until scabs have healed and you have new skin underneath (this can spread the rash to other parts of the body)