24-06-2025
What Is Monkeypox (mpox)?
Mpox (monkeypox) is a viral disease similar to smallpox. It causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a lesion-like rash. The lesions can appear on or near your genitals or anus and in other areas.
Mpox is also a zoonotic disease. This means it can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa. It can also be transmitted from one human to another.
There are two different types of the mpox virus, the West African virus and the Congo Basin virus.
Before 2022, most cases of mpox occurred in central and western Africa. However, cases of mpox caused by the West African form of the virus have since spread worldwide, including in areas where it doesn't usually occur.
Read on to learn about the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of mpox. This article will also explain how mpox spreads and how it can be treated.
The Word Health Organization (WHO) changed the name from 'monkeypox' to 'mpox' in November 2022 to reduce the risk of stigmatization and other issues. Where possible, this article has been updated to reflect this change.
What causes monkeypox?
Mpox is caused by the mpox virus. The virus is part of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes the virus that causes smallpox.
Scientists first identified the disease in 1958. Two outbreaks occurred among monkeys used for research, which is why the condition was originally called monkeypox.
The first case of mpox in a human happened in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Monkeypox symptoms
The symptoms of mpox are similar to those of smallpox. However, Mpox symptoms are typically milder.
After you contract the mpox virus, it typically takes 6 to 13 days for symptoms to appear. However, this can range from 5 to 21 days.
The early symptoms can include:
fever, which is commonly the first symptom
headache
muscle aches
back ache
fatigue
chills
swollen lymph nodes, also known as lymphadenopathy
After the fever develops, a rash usually appears 1 to 3 days later.
The rash typically affects your:
face, which is the most common site
palms of your hands
soles of your feet
mouth
genitalia
eyes, including the conjunctivae and cornea
A rash may come before or after fever and other flu-like symptoms. Some people may only experience a rash.
The rash associated with mpox consists of lesions that evolve in the following order:
macules, or flat discolored lesions
papules, or slightly raised lesions
vesicles, or bumps with clear fluid
pustules, or bumps with yellowish fluid
scabs
After the lesions dry and scab over, they fall off.
The symptoms of mpox generally last 2 to 4 weeks and go away without treatment.
Monkeypox pictures
Here's what the condition looks like in humans:
Potential complications from monkeypox
Possible complications of mpox include:
bronchopneumonia
sepsis
inflammation of brain tissue, also known as encephalitis
infection of the cornea, the clear outer layer of your eye
secondary infections
An infection in the cornea may lead to vision loss.
In severe cases, the lesions might merge together. This may cause the loss of a large area of skin.
Where is monkeypox found?
In the past, the mpox virus was mainly active in tropical, rural parts of central and western Africa. Since 1970, it has occurred in the following countries:
Benin
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Cote d'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Gabon
Liberia
Nigeria
Republic of the Congo
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Historically, most reported cases of mpox are from rural areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
However, on July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
How does monkeypox spread?
Mypox spreads through direct contact with the mpox virus through the following substances:
blood
bodily fluids
skin or mucous lesions
respiratory droplets, for human-to-human contact
It can also spread through contact with objects, fabrics, or surfaces that contain the mpox virus.
People who are pregnant can also pass the virus to their fetus through the placenta.
The mpox virus can also be spread through intimate contact, which includes:
hugging, massaging, or kissing
oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse
touching the genitals or anus of a person with the mpox virus
prolonged face-to-face contact
touching objects during sex that contain the mpox virus, such as bedding, towels, or sex toys
Transmission can also happen through:
bites and scratches from animals with an mpox infection
eating the meat of an animal with an mpox infection
Scientists are still researching whether monkeypox can be spread by a person who has no symptoms, how it spreads through respiratory secretions, and whether or not it can be spread by contact with other bodily fluids, including vaginal fluids, semen, urine, or feces.
Is monkeypox deadly?
According to the CDC, mpox is rarely fatal. In fact, approximately 99% of people who get the West African version of mpox survive. This is the strain that's responsible for the current outbreak.
Certain people may be more susceptible to severe illness and complications, including:
people with weakened immune systems
children under 8 years old
people who are pregnant or breastfeeding
individuals with a history of eczema
People who experience secondary bacterial infections tend to have worse outcomes.
Compared with the West African form of the virus, the Congo Basin form of mpox is usually more severe — it has a fatality rate of around 10%.
How is monkeypox treated?
There's currently no treatment for mpox. However, monkeypox is self-limiting, which means it can get better without treatment.
Some medications can be used to control an outbreak and prevent the disease from spreading. They can include:
vaccinia vaccine (smallpox vaccine)
vaccinia immune globulin
antiviral medication (in animals)
tecovirimat (TPOXX), an antiviral used to treat smallpox
brincidofovir (Tembexa), an antiviral used to treat adult and pediatric smallpox
cidofovir, which is typically used to treat eye infections caused by cytomegalovirus but has been used in certain mpox cases
Other treatments focus on managing symptoms using over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as pain relievers, topical creams, and oral antihistamines.
Can vaccination prevent monkeypox?
According to the WHO, the smallpox vaccine is approximately 85% effective in preventing the development of mpox. If you received the smallpox vaccine as a child and contract the mpox virus, your symptoms may be mild.
There are two vaccines available that may be used for the prevention of mpox, JYNNEOS and ACAM2000.
People who have been exposed to mpox and those who are at an increased risk of contracting the virus should get a vaccine.
This includes people who:
have been identified by public health officials as a close contact of a person with mpox
have had a sexual partner within the past 2 weeks who's been diagnosed with mpox
have had multiple sexual partners within the past 2 weeks in an area where mpox cases have been reported
who have a job that exposes them to orthopoxviruses, including mpox
Ask your doctor about getting a vaccination.
In addition to getting vaccinated, wash your hands frequently and avoid direct contact with people who have mpox or objects that they might've used to prevent infection.
Who should be screened for monkeypox and how is it diagnosed?
If you've had close contact with someone who has gotten mpox, consulting with a healthcare professional to determine whether testing is necessary.
Doctors diagnose mpox using several methods:
Lab tests: This involves testing the fluid from lesions or dry scabs. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test can check for the virus in these samples.
Biopsy: A biopsy involves removing a piece of skin tissue and testing it for the virus.
Blood tests aren't usually recommended. That's because the mpox virus stays in the blood for a short time. Therefore, it's not an accurate test for diagnosing mpox.
Takeaway
Mpox is a viral disease and zoonotic condition, which means it can spread from animals to humans. It can also spread through contact between two humans.
The first symptoms typically include fever, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. As the disease progresses, it causes a rash, which can appear on or near your genitals, anus, face, chest, and extremities.
The rash consists of lesions that turn into fluid-filled blisters, which then dry up and fall off. The rash typically starts on your face and then progresses, usually to your arms and legs. However, it can occur in other parts of your body as well.
