How Does Monkeypox Spread?
Contents
What are the first signs of monkeypox?
Signs and symptoms – Mpox causes signs and symptoms which usually begin within a week but can start 1–21 days after exposure. Symptoms typically last 2–4 weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system. Common symptoms of mpox are:
rashfeversore throatheadachemuscle achesback painlow energyswollen lymph nodes.
For some people, the first symptom of mpox is a rash, while others may have different symptoms first. The rash begins as a flat sore which develops into a blister filled with liquid and may be itchy or painful. As the rash heals, the lesions dry up, crust over and fall off.
palms of hands and soles of feetface, mouth and throatgroin and genital areasanus.
Some people also have painful swelling of their rectum or pain and difficulty when peeing. People with mpox are infectious and can pass the disease on to others until all sores have healed and a new layer of skin has formed. Children, pregnant people and people with weak immune systems are at risk for complications from mpox.
Typically for mpox, fever, muscle aches and sore throat appear first. The mpox rash begins on the face and spreads over the body, extending to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and evolves over 2-4 weeks in stages – macules, papules, vesicles, pustules. Lesions dip in the centre before crusting over.
Scabs then fall off. Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) is a classic feature of mpox. Some people can be infected without developing any symptoms. In the context of the global outbreak of mpox which began in 2022 (caused mostly by Clade IIb virus), the illness begins differently in some people.
- In just over a half of cases, a rash may appear before or at the same time as other symptoms and does not always progress over the body.
- The first lesion can be in the groin, anus, or in or around the mouth.
- People with mpox can become very sick.
- For example, the skin can become infected with bacteria leading to abscesses or serious skin damage.
Other complications include pneumonia, corneal infection with loss of vision; pain or difficulty swallowing, vomiting and diarrhoea causing severe dehydration or malnutrition; sepsis (infection of the blood with a widespread inflammatory response in the body), inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), heart (myocarditis), rectum (proctitis), genital organs (balanitis) or urinary passages (urethritis), or death.
How do people usually get monkeypox?
Infected Animals – Some can be infected with mpox and spread it to people through close contact. This is more likely with wild animals, specifically small mammals like squirrels, rats, and mice that live in areas where mpox is endemic (found naturally, such as in West and Central Africa).
A person can get mpox if they touch a rash, scab, crust, saliva, or other fluids from an infected animal. In areas where mpox is endemic, people may get mpox after hunting, trapping, or processing infected wild animals. It’s less likely to get mpox from a pet, but it’s possible that a pet could get infected and spread mpox to a person during close contact like petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, licking, and sharing sleeping spaces or food.
People should avoid close contact with an animal that might have mpox. It’s also possible that people with mpox can spread it to animals, so someone with mpox should avoid contact with animals, including pets.
Is monkey pox painful?
Clinical Recognition
Lesions are firm or rubbery, well-circumscribed, deep-seated, and often develop umbilication (resembles a dot on the top of the lesion). During the current global outbreak:
Lesions often occur in the genital and anorectal areas or in the mouth. Rash is not always disseminated across many sites on the body. Rash may be confined to only a few lesions or only a single lesion. Rash does not always appear on palms and soles.
Rectal symptoms (e.g., purulent or bloody stools, rectal pain, or rectal bleeding) have been frequently reported in the current outbreak. Lesions are often described as painful until the healing phase when they become itchy (crusts). Fever and other prodromal symptoms (e.g., chills, lymphadenopathy, malaise, myalgias, or headache) can occur before rash but may occur after rash or not be present at all. Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough) can occur.
Lesions typically develop simultaneously and evolve together on any given part of the body. The evolution of lesions progresses through four stages—macular, papular, vesicular, to pustular—before scabbing over and desquamation. The incubation period is 3-17 days.
During this time, a person does not have symptoms and may feel fine. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. The severity of illness can depend upon the initial health of the individual and the route of exposure. The West African virus genetic group, or clade, which is the clade involved in the current outbreak, is associated with milder disease and fewer deaths than the Congo Basin virus clade.
Key Characteristics of Mpox Rash
Mpox disease is characterized by an incubation period, prodrome, and rash. Incubation Period: Infection with mpox virus begins with an incubation period where the person does not have symptoms and may feel fine. The incubation period is roughly 1-2 weeks. A person is not contagious during this period, Physicians are currently recommended to monitor patients up to 21 days. Prodrome: People with mpox infection may develop an early set of symptoms (prodrome). These symptoms may include fever, malaise, headache, sore throat, or cough, and (in many cases) swollen lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy is a characteristic feature of mpox, and lymph nodes may swell in the neck (submandibular & cervical), armpits (axillary), or groin (inguinal) and can occur on both sides of the body or just one. A person may be contagious during this period, Instruct patients to isolate if they develop symptoms. Rash: In some recent mpox cases, people have presented with a rash without a recognized prodrome. Many of the recent cases have only had localized lesions and have not presented with diffuse rash often seen in figures. People with mpox infection develop lesions that typically progress from papules, macules, vesicles, pustules, and then scabs. A person is contagious until after all the scabs on the skin have fallen off and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed underneath, Decisions regarding discontinuation of and at home should be made in consultation with the local or state health department.
| Stage | Stage Duration | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Enanthem |
Sometimes, lesions first form on the tongue and in the mouth. |
|
| Macules | 1−2 days | |
| Papules | 1−2 days |
Lesions typically progress from macular (flat) to papular (raised). |
| Vesicles | 1−2 days |
Lesions then typically become vesicular (raised and filled with clear fluid). |
| Pustules | 5−7 days |
Lesions then typically become pustular (filled with opaque fluid) – sharply raised, usually round, and firm to the touch (deep seated). Finally, lesions typically develop a depression in the center (umbilication). The pustules will remain for approximately 5 to 7 days before beginning to crust. |
| Scabs | 7−14 days |
By the end of the second week, pustules have crusted and scabbed over. Scabs will remain for about a week before beginning to fall off. |
This is a typical timeline, but timeline can vary.
What if my pimple is monkeypox?
How do I know if my rash is monkeypox — and not something else? – The monkeypox virus is a “cousin” of smallpox, which has been eradicated, said Dr. Isaac Bogoch. But monkeypox and chickenpox are “completely unrelated.” Chickenpox and monkeypox are “viruses and they both impact the skin.
Chickenpox is a completely different virus. Sometimes the lesions of chickenpox may resemble those of monkeypox,” said Bogoch, a clinician and researcher focusing on tropical diseases, HIV, and global health issues. According to PHAC, chickenpox tends to appear on the trunk of the body, while monkeypox is more predominant on the face or extremities.
The chickenpox rash is generally throughout the body, with lesions in close proximity. While monkeypox does appear to look like a pimple at first, if it changes appearance, it may be monkeypox. When distinguishing if a bump is a pimple or monkeypox, the best thing to do if you are feeling discomfort is contact your doctor.
Do monkeypox pimples stay?
How long does mpox last? Most people have mpox for 2 to 4 weeks. That’s the amount of time it takes for the disease to run its course. Until the bumps go away, a person who has mpox is contagious and can spread the virus to others.
What happens if you pop monkeypox?
Rash Relief – The most important thing is to try to not touch or scratch the rash. This can spread the rash to other parts of the body, increase the chance of spreading the virus to others, and possibly cause open lesions to become infected by bacteria.
- If you do accidentally touch the rash, wash your hands with soap and water and avoid touching sensitive areas like your eyes, nose, mouth, genitals and rectum (butthole).
- Topical benzocaine/lidocaine gels can be used for temporary relief.
- Oral antihistamines such as Benadryl and topical creams such as calamine lotion or petroleum jelly may help with itching.
Soaking in a warm bath (using oatmeal or other over-the-counter bath products for itchy skin) may offer some relief to the dry, itchy sensations that can come with the rash. People who have the rash in or around their anus (butthole) or genitals (penis, testicles, labia, vagina), or perineum (taint) may also benefit from a sitz-bath.
A sitz bath is a round, shallow basin that can be purchased online or at a pharmacy. Most fit over the rim of a toilet but can also be placed in a bathtub. There is also the option to sit in a bathtub with shallow water. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication like povidone-iodine or other products to be added to the water in a sitz bath.
Adding Epsom salt, vinegar, or baking soda to the water can be soothing. If you have been diagnosed with mpox, it’s important to notify your close contacts that they may have been exposed to mpox as soon as possible, so they can watch for signs and symptoms, get tested, and isolate if they have symptoms.
How long does it take to get monkeypox once exposed?
Symptoms – Mpox (monkeypox) is usually a self-limited viral infection with a rash that may be painful. Most people recover on their own after a few weeks. In some cases, people can become very sick and could die. People usually develop symptoms 5 to 21 days after being exposed to the monkeypox virus.
- face and mouth
- arms and legs
- hands and feet
- anus, rectum and genitals
The rash usually lasts between 14 and 28 days and changes through different stages. It finally forms scabs that later fall off. The rash can be accompanied by general symptoms such as:
- fever
- chills
- headache
- exhaustion
- swollen lymph nodes
- back, joint and muscle pain
You are contagious from the onset of first symptoms until the scabs have fallen off on their own and the skin is healed. If you have symptoms, you should:
- isolate at home away from others
- immediately contact your health care provider or local public health authority for advice on what to do
Learn more about:
- Photos of mpox rash
- What to do if you have mpox (monkeypox)
How long do you have to be exposed to get monkeypox?
Monkeypox symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days (and up to 21 days) after being exposed.
Can you get monkeypox touching?
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) – Tiana Galloway said fears about monkeypox are changing her spending habits and more importantly, the things she’s touching. “That’s my biggest concern-shopping in the grocery store,” she said. The Raleigh resident worries the virus could present on items such as clothing.
- I often think about thrifting clothing, because that’s trendy now, but it’s concerning because these are clothes that people have worn.
- You never know and at the store, they don’t wash (them) after people try them on,” said Galloway.
- The CDC says monkeypox can spread through direct contact or by touching objects, fabrics, and surfaces used by someone who is infected.
UNC Health Infectious Disease Expert Dr. David Wohl said that though that can occur, the risk is low. “I don’t think I would worry too much about these very casual encounters with inanimate objects. You’re not going to catch this at a restaurant. You’re not going to catch this off of a park bench.
- Trying on clothes I would say that’s pretty unlikely.
- You would have to have somebody, who right before you tried on clothes, who had lesions with monkeypox virus,” said Wohl.
- RELATED: 7 ways to reduce your risk of monkeypox The population most affected right by monkeypox is men who have sex with other men and their sexual partners.
Wohl warned that will likely change. “It’s not going to stay in the lane it is right now and so we should be prepared,” he said. “I think the No.1 concern I have is, like staph infections or like MRSA infections, where we start to see this in daycares, where we start to see this in athletes, in wrestlers, where the body would have skin-to-skin contact.” The Wake County Health Department does have a limited supply of the monkeypox vaccine and is offering it to those who may have been exposed.
