What does MPX look like and what are the symptoms?

 

MPX has similar symptoms to flu-like illness and smallpox. The MPX symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. After the appearance of a fever, the patient develops a rash around the body. MPX virus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus family, and it can spread when a person is in contact with the virus from infected animals, humans, and materials contaminated with the virus. The virus is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected sores, scabs, body fluids and face-to-face contact. 

 

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Symptoms of MPX can include:

Fever

Headache

Muscle aches and backache

Swollen lymph nodes

Chills

Exhaustion

 

A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.

The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.   

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Diagnosis & Isolation

If you have a new or an unexplained rash or other symptoms, avoid crowds,  close contact with others, and seek medical care for further testing and evaluation. If you do not have a health care provider or healthcare insurance, contact your local health department about any available resources. 

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