Medicines for Mpox

What it is

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral infection that causes a rash along with other symptoms. It is caused by a virus related to (but milder than) the virus that used to cause smallpox. Mpox has historically occurred in parts of Africa, but outbreaks have occurred more widely, including in the UK and other countries in recent years. Mpox is spread mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox — including skin-to-skin contact (such as during sex or other close contact), contact with the rash, scabs, or body fluids, contact with contaminated materials (such as bedding, towels, or clothing), and, in some situations, respiratory routes with prolonged close face-to-face contact; it can also be caught from infected animals in areas where it occurs in animals. The symptoms of mpox can include: a rash, which is often a key feature — the rash goes through stages (from flat spots to raised bumps, then fluid- or pus-filled blisters, which scab over and heal) and can appear anywhere, including the face, body, hands, feet, and the genital and anal areas (which are commonly affected in some outbreaks); and flu-like symptoms — such as a fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, tiredness, and swollen glands (lymph nodes) — which may come before, with, or after the rash. The illness is usually mild for most people and clears up on its own over a period of weeks (often around two to four weeks), as the rash heals; however, it can be more severe in some people, particularly those with weakened immune systems, young children, and in pregnancy, and complications can occur. Mpox is infectious from when symptoms start until the rash has fully healed (the scabs have fallen off and new skin has formed), so people with mpox are advised to take measures to avoid passing it on during this time. Most people recover with rest and self-care, with treatment aimed at symptoms; specific treatments and vaccination are available and used in certain situations (for example vaccination to protect those at higher risk or contacts). The key messages are that mpox is a viral infection causing a rash and flu-like symptoms, spread mainly through close contact, that it is usually mild and clears on its own, and that vaccination and measures to reduce spread are available.

How it is treated

Mpox is managed with self-care and symptom relief for the usually mild illness, measures to reduce spread while infectious, and specific treatments or vaccination in certain situations; recognising it and seeking advice are important. If mpox is suspected — from a new rash (which can be anywhere, including the genital or anal area) with or without flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen glands), particularly with a relevant exposure — it is important to seek advice: contacting a sexual health clinic or a GP (by phone first, mentioning the symptoms, so they can advise safely) allows assessment, testing to confirm the diagnosis, and advice, while taking care not to spread it to others in the meantime. For most people, mpox is a mild, self-limiting illness, and care is supportive: rest, fluids, and simple measures to relieve symptoms — such as pain relief for fever, aches, and discomfort, and measures to soothe the rash and any affected areas (including relief for rash in sensitive areas, and pain relief where needed); keeping the rash clean and not scratching it (to reduce the risk of infection and scarring) help. The illness usually clears over a couple of weeks to a month as the rash heals. An important part of care is reducing spread while infectious: because mpox is infectious from when symptoms start until the rash has fully healed (scabs fallen off, new skin formed), people with mpox are advised to take measures to avoid passing it on — such as staying at home and avoiding close contact with others (including sexual contact) until the rash has healed and they are advised it is safe, avoiding sharing items such as bedding, towels, and clothing, covering the rash where practical, and good hygiene; specific advice is given by the health service. Specific antiviral treatments for mpox exist and may be used in certain situations (such as more severe illness or for those at higher risk), and vaccination is available and used to protect people at higher risk and, in some situations, close contacts (post-exposure), as advised by health services. Because mpox can be more severe in some groups (such as those with weakened immune systems, young children, and in pregnancy), those affected who are in these groups, or who become more unwell, should seek medical advice. The reassuring messages are that mpox is usually a mild, self-limiting illness that clears on its own, that self-care relieves the symptoms, that measures to reduce spread are important while infectious, and that specific treatments and vaccination are available for certain situations; so seeking advice (by phone first) for a suspected case, self-care, avoiding passing it on, and vaccination for those at higher risk are the key points.