What is mpox?
Public Health agencies around the world have reported cases of mpox, a self-limiting orthopoxvirus, since May 2022. The main route of mpox virus transmission is direct close contact (skin-to-skin), particularly through sexual contact. The virus causes a flu-like illness that leads to a maculopapular rash.
Symptoms may begin in a prodromal phase that includes:
- Fever/chills
- headache
- swollen lymph nodes
- intense fatigue
- sweating
- muscle aches
- joint stiffness
The incubation period is usually 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days. Within 1-3 days after symptom onset, a rash appears at the site of inoculation, then may appear on other parts of the body including oral mucosa, genital area, conjunctiva, palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Atypical presentations include initial signs of a genital or perianal rash prior to prodrome symptoms which may not spread to other parts of the body, and having lesions at different stages of development. The rash turns into vesicular lesions that will eventually fall off to be replaced by new skin. The time for scabs to fall off varies by individual but typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Epidemiology on the 2022-2023 outbreak shows that mpox has mainly affected gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (gbMSM) who have more than one, new, and/or anonymous sexual partners. In addition, many of these cases have reported atypical symptoms, including painful unusual rash/lesions in the mouth and/or genitals.