Mpox in Children: Care Instructions

Overview

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a disease caused by a virus. Mpox spreads through close person-to-person contact, such as cuddling. It may spread when your child touches items used by someone with mpox, like their blankets. The virus can also spread from animals to people.

Symptoms include a painful rash and a fever. Symptoms last for about 2 to 4 weeks. Most children can be cared for at home. If your child is very sick or more likely to get very sick, or if the rash is in a very painful spot, antiviral medicines may be needed. Sometimes mpox is treated in the hospital.

The mpox virus is from the same family of viruses as smallpox. Mpox and smallpox have similar symptoms. But mpox symptoms are milder, and it rarely causes death. Mpox isn't related to chickenpox.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Make sure your child gets rest and drinks plenty of fluids.
• Cover the rash with clothing or bandages. If your child has a rash on their hands, you can try having them wear disposable or reusable gloves to cover the rash. Reusable gloves will need to be washed with soap and water between each use.
• Wear disposable gloves when changing your child's bandages and clothing. Throw gloves away after use. Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Try to keep your child from scratching the rash or popping any blisters.
• Try to keep your child from touching their eyes.
• Try giving your child a warm bath or apply calamine lotion or a prescription cream to soothe any itching.
• If your child is older than 2, have them wear a mask when around others until their rash and other symptoms are gone. Wear a mask when caring for your child.
• Keep your child home from school or childcare and away from other people and pets until they no longer have symptoms and the rash has healed. This can take a month or more.
• Ask your doctor if you can give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to help with pain. Do not use ibuprofen if your child is less than 6 months old unless the doctor gave you instructions to use it. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Do not give your child two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
• If your doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain or to treat the virus, read and follow all instructions on the label. Call your doctor if your child has problems with the medicines.
• Have your child stay away from other people until your child no longer has symptoms. This means that the rash blisters have scabbed over, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed where the scabs used to be.