What is Mpox?

Previously known as monkeypox, Mpox is a rare viral infection commonly found in East and Central parts of Africa. In the UK the risk of transmission is low for most people. 

How is it transmitted?

Mpox can be transmitted through: 

  • Close physical contact (including sexual contact) with someone who has mpox blisters or scabs 
  • Touching or using the same clothing, bedding and towels as an infected person. 
  • Being coughed or sneezed on by an infected person 

If you are in a country with high rates, you can also get it from infected animals such as rats, mice, squirrels or other rodents by: 

  • Being bitten  
  • Physical contact with them (touching their fur, sores or wounds) 
  • Eating their meat if it’s either uncooked or not cooked properly 

Symptoms

Symptoms generally appear between 5 and 21 days after infection, and a rash with blisters will appear 1-5 days after the first symptoms that can be found anywhere on the body. This rash is easily confused with chickenpox as they appear similar. 

The symptoms that first appear are: 

  • Fever and chills 
  • Swollen glands 
  • Muscle aches and joint pain 
  • Backache 
  • Exhaustion and fatigue 

Whilst you have symptoms, you are infectious and can pass it onto others. 

Prevention and protection

The Mpox vaccine is available in the UK to people who are deemed high risk of catching the virus. These people include: 

  • Men who have sex with men (MSM)  
  • MSM who have been diagnosed with an STI in the past 12 months 
  • People who participate in sex on premises venues 
  • Sex workers 
  • MSM who have multiple sexual partners or engage in group sex 
  • Staff of sex on premises venues 

You can access the vaccine through your local sexual health clinic, or an Mpox vaccination site.  

Other ways to prevent an Mpox infection include:  

  • Avoid touching wild animals or eating their meat if you are in Eastern or Central Africa. 
  • Avoid sharing bedding, towels or clothes of someone that may have Mpox 
  • Avoid close contact with people you suspect may have Mpox 
  • Be aware of the symptoms if you're sexually active, or regularly travel to Eastern or Central Africa 

Treatment for Mpox

Mpox is usually mild and can clear from the body after a few weeks without treatment, however if your symptoms are severe, you may need hospitalisation. Young children, older people or immunocompromised people are more likely to be hospitalised. 

Where to get help in Bexley

If you are showing symptoms, call your local sexual health clinic, or NHS 111. You will need to isolate at home unless told otherwise by a doctor or nurse, to avoid spreading the infection. 

What happens at your appointment?

If you are called in for an appointment, you will need to wear a mask and cover any lesions. Avoid contact with others around you as much as possible. Swab samples of your lesions, ulcers or sores may be taken to determine whether you have Mpox or another STI (such as Syphilis, Herpes or Scabies). You will most likely be offered HIV testing and testing for other STIs at the same time. 

Complications of Mpox

Complications can occur if left untreated for a while, and you are more likely to develop complications if you are either pregnant, a child under 12, immunocompromised or older. Complications include: 

  • Secondary skin infections 
  • Sepsis and hypotension (low blood pressure) 
  • Kidney injury 
  • Pneumonia 
  • Corneal scarring and/or vision loss 
  • Urinary retention (being unable to wee) 
  • Neurological complications  
  • Arthritis  

Mpox in pregnancy

At the moment, very little is known about Mpox in pregnancy, during labour and the postpartum period as there has been little research due to the small number of pregnant people infected with the disease. It has been confirmed that the virus can be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy via the placenta. 

It is reasonable to suggest that it may cause severe complications such as: 

  • Poor neonatal health outcomes  
  • Miscarriage within the first trimester, or stillbirth 
  • Severe Mpox infection, including more severe symptoms 
  • Higher chance of maternal mortality  
  • Premature labour  

Other STIs