Monkeypox: What you need to know

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a rare disease caused by a virus that belongs to the same family of viruses that cause smallpox. It’s less contagious than smallpox and usually spreads through close, personal contact. Generally, it also causes less severe illness, so most mpox cases resolve on their own.

Mpox doesn’t spread as easily as respiratory viruses like COVID-19. So most people aren’t considered at high risk. But Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping protect our members and providing appropriate treatment to those who do become infected. Here’s what you need to know about mpox.

If you think you have mpox symptoms, and would like to speak to a clinician, please self-quarantine and go to kp.org or Kaiser Permanente app, select Get care now, and choose from a 24/7 video or phone visit, e-visits and select “rash”, or 24/7 nurse advice care. No appointment necessary. You can also call us at 1-800-813-2000 (TTY 711). 

In the U.S., most people with mpox develop a rash. It usually starts as a red area that turns into pimples and blisters before scabbing. Before the rash starts, some people also experience fever, chills, and fatigue.

In the current mpox outbreak, the rash is often only in the genital area and thighs. But there have been cases where the rash is on the face, hands, and arms. It’s important to keep the rash covered around other people whenever possible.

Mpox usually spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a rash. It can also be spread by sharing surfaces, clothing, or bedding with an infected person. In the current outbreak, it appears to rarely spread through coughing.

Until symptoms start, mpox isn’t contagious. After symptoms start, it’s contagious until all scabs have fallen off and new skin has formed in their place.

People with mpox can experience:

• Rash, pimples, and blisters
• Pain from the rash
• Head, muscle, and back aches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion

Mpox illness usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks, and most people will get better on their own.

Yes, there is a vaccine being used to prevent mpox. The vaccine, JYNNEOS, was developed for smallpox and was already approved to prevent both smallpox and mpox infection in people who work in labs with these viruses. The effectiveness of the vaccine in this current mpox outbreak is unknown. The supply of the vaccine is held by the federal government and has been distributed to the states. It is not available commercially. 

Vaccine is being used for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in persons with known or suspected exposure and it is also being offered as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in persons with the highest risk of mpox exposure. 

Visit Oregon Health Authority and scroll down to “Who should receive the monkeypox (hMPXV) vaccine?” or Washington State Department of Health and scroll down to the FAQ: “Vaccines to Prevent MPV” for the most current vaccine guidelines.

If you are currently eligible for the JYNNEOS vaccine, you can schedule an appointment by clicking here or by calling 1-800-813-2000 (TTY 711).

Mpox tests need to be processed at a qualified laboratory facility. So you need to get tested by a health care professional. There is currently no home test for mpox.

In Oregon and SW Washington, prior to visiting a Kaiser Permanente lab, please speak to a clinician, self-quarantine and go to kp.org or Kaiser Permanente app, select Get care now, and choose from a 24/7 video or phone visit, e-visits and select “rash”, or 24/7 nurse advice care. No appointment necessary. You can also call us at 1-800-813-2000 (TTY 711).

The vaccine can help prevent mpox before or after exposure to the virus. If you get mpox, some smallpox treatments can be effective. But many mpox cases don’t need treatment with medication.

Mpox is usually spread through direct skin-to-skin contact. In general, it’s best to avoid:

• Close contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox
• Touching the rash or scabs of someone with mpox
• Having sex with someone with mpox or who has a rash that looks like monkeypox
• Sharing clothing or bedding with someone who has mpox

According to the CDC, men who have sex with men make up most of the reported cases in the current mpox outbreak. But anyone who's been in close contact with someone who has mpox is at risk.

If you think you have mpox symptoms, and would like to speak to a clinician, please self-quarantine and go to kp.org or Kaiser Permanente app, select Get care now, and choose from a 24/7 video or phone visit, e-visits and select “rash”, or 24/7 nurse advice care. No appointment necessary. You can also call us at 1-800-813-2000 (TTY 711). 

Please do not go to a medical facility to seek care unless directed to by your care team.

 

Source:

Visit cdc.gov for more information about mpox. 

 

For state and county information about mpox please visit:

Oregon Health Authority

Washington County

Washington State Department of Health

Multnomah County