MPOX is a rare disease caused by the MPOX virus. The MPOX virus belongs to the same family of virus which causes smallpox. Although MPOX symptoms are similar to the symptoms of the smallpox, they are less serious and the MPOX is rarely fatal.
MPOX can cause a rash that looks like buttons or blisters. The eruption can be painful or itching, and it can occur on or near the genitals or anus. It can also appear on other parts of the body, such as hands, feet, chest, face and mouth.
Additional MPOX symptoms may include the following:
Fever
Headache
Muscle pain and back pain
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills
Exhaustion
Respiratory symptoms, such as cough, nasal congestion and sore throat
MPOX symptoms generally appear within three weeks of exposure to the virus. The disease usually lasts two to four weeks. Some people first obtain a rash, followed by other symptoms, while others first obtain pseudo-Grippal symptoms, then develop a rash one to four days later. Still others receive only a rash and no other symptoms.
In 2022, there was an epidemic in several countries which generally do not report MPOX, including the United States.
MPOX can spread during narrow, personal contact, often skin to skin with a person who has the infection. This can occur during direct contact with MPOX rashes, crusts or body fluids, or contact with respiratory secretions. Direct contact can occur during intimate physical contact, including oral, anal and vaginal sex and touching the genitals or the anus of a person infected with MPOX. This can also happen during embraces, massage, kisses and any type of face -to -face contact.
You can also get MPOX by touching tissues (such as clothing, bedding and towels) that have been used by an infected person and touching objects used during sexual intercourse that has been used by any infected person, such as favorite equipment or sex toys.
In addition, you can get MPOX from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal, preparing or eating meat, or using products from the infected animal. Pregnant women can spread mpox to their fetus.
MPOX can spread from the appearance of symptoms until the rash is fully healed and that a new layer of skin has been formed. It can take several weeks; Sexual contact and intimacy should be avoided during this period. It is not known if MPOX can spread through sperm or vaginal liquids.
The CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to MPOX, as well as for people who have an increased risk of being exposed to MPOX:
People who have been identified as a contact with a person who has mpox
People who may have been exposed to MPOX, such as people who have a sexual partner who has been diagnosed with MPOX in the past two weeks or people who have had several sexual partners in the last two weeks in an area with a known epidemic of MPOX
People whose jobs can expose them to MPOX
Drugs and antiviral vaccines developed to protect against smallpox can be used to prevent and treat MPOX infections.
How to reduce your risk of obtaining an MST
The only way to completely avoid STDs, including herpes, is not to have a vaginal, anal or oral sex. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk by being in a long -term relationship and mutually monogamous with a partner that has been tested for STDs and properly using condoms each time you have sex.
If you have symptoms of genital herpes or any other STD, consult your doctor or go to a sexual health clinic. Your doctor will know what tests to give you to detect all the STDs you may have. And if you are sexually active, have yourself tested regularly and always practice safe sex.
