What Is Mpox?
Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus, part of the same family as smallpox, though it is generally much less severe. It spreads through close physical contact with an infected person's skin, sores, respiratory droplets, or contaminated items such as bedding and towels. The illness typically moves through two phases: an early flu-like stage, followed by the appearance of skin lesions that change in appearance over one to two weeks before scabbing over and healing.
What Are the Symptoms?
Early signs often resemble a common viral illness, which is part of why mpox can be missed at first. Watch for:
- Fever and chills
- Swollen lymph nodes (a feature that helps distinguish mpox from chickenpox or other rashes)
- Muscle aches and fatigue
- A rash that starts as flat spots, becomes raised bumps, then fluid-filled blisters, and finally scabs
The rash can appear on the face, hands, feet, chest, or genital area, and may involve just a few lesions or many.
How Is Mpox Diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a physical exam and a review of recent travel or contact history. Our physicians confirm suspected cases with a PCR test taken from a skin lesion swab, which is the most reliable way to identify the virus. Blood tests may be used to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as chickenpox or a herpes outbreak.
How Is Mpox Treated?
Most healthy adults recover with supportive care: rest, hydration, fever reducers, and keeping the rash clean and covered to prevent secondary bacterial infection. Patients with a higher risk of complications — including those with weakened immune systems, pregnant patients, or people with lesions near the eyes — may need closer monitoring or antiviral treatment. Isolation at home is recommended until all lesions have fully scabbed and new skin has formed underneath.
Everything in One Place
If your case needs more than home care, Hospital CMQ can manage it without sending you elsewhere: same-day consultation with infectious disease or internal medicine, on-site lab confirmation, and a private room for isolation if hospitalization is needed — all coordinated by one team, at one location.
When Should I Go to the Emergency Room?
Seek urgent care if you experience difficulty breathing, severe pain, confusion, lesions spreading into the eyes, or if a rash appears alongside a high, persistent fever. People with HIV or other conditions that weaken the immune system should seek evaluation earlier rather than later.
If you have a new rash and fever, our physicians can evaluate you the same day at any of our three hospitals in operation.
Prevention
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has an active rash or sores
- Don't share bedding, towels, or clothing with someone who is infected
- Ask your doctor about vaccination if you're at higher occupational or personal risk
References
- World Health Organization (WHO) — Mpox fact sheet
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Mpox clinical overview
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) — Monkeypox virus information
