Mpox
Mpox is used as a synonym for the disease “monkeypox”. This is to prevent possible stigmatisation of those affected. Men who have sex with men are among the groups of people at increased risk. The Mpox virus is transmitted through direct skin and mucous membrane contact, as well as through contact with infected secretions from one or more blisters or lesions on the skin or mucous membranes of the infected person. Mpox viruses can also be transmitted through the scab, respiratory secretions and body fluids.
Symptoms
Usually the first signs are high fever, muscle and joint pain, enlarged lymph glands and severe headache. A skin rash appears 1 to 5 days later. However, atypical courses have also often been observed. For example, not all sufferers had a fever, and some people had few or no pustules. Some people complain of pain or itching at the skin lesions. The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab that later falls off, leaving healthy skin underneath.
Progression
Some of the cases are mild, but a significant proportion of people have severe pain and require several days to weeks of not only over-the-counter painkillers, but sometimes also morphine derivatives. Some people have pronounced skin lesions and may be disfigured for a long time by scarring of the face and genitals. In rare cases, complications such as bacterial infections of the skin lesions or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) may occur.
Suspicion of monkeypox?
Minimise risk
Get vaccinated. Unvaccinated individuals are at higher risk of contracting Mpox. Vaccination also protects against painful, severe courses. By vaccinating, you are protecting the community because you are helping to prevent mpox from spreading. Not the entire population needs to be vaccinated. Vaccination is useful for people who are at high risk of contracting Mpox. These are:
- cis men with changing male sex partners
- trans persons with changing male sex partners
- medical personnel who come into contact with the virus
- anyone who has had close contact with an infected person
Appearance
Early vesicle, ⌀ 3 mm
Small pustule, ⌀ 2 mm
Umbilicated pustule, ⌀ 3-4 mm
Ulcerated lesion, ⌀ 5 mm
Crusting of a mature lesion
partially removed scrab