MPOXED

• If you are at risk and are eligible, get vaccinated. 

• If you've been exposed to mpox, get vaccinated within 4 days of exposure (and up to 14 days with no symptoms).

• Make informed choices when in spaces or social situations where mpox could spread.

• Avoid close contact with someone who may have mpox. If unavoidable, wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

• Do not share bedding, clothing, towels, utensils, or cups with a person who has mpox.

• Wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.

• If you are showing symptoms of mpox, contact your healthcare provider or visit a public health clinic and get tested.

While waiting for your test results, it’s important to:

• Isolate yourself from others, stay home, and avoid public transportation.

• Wear a mask and cover lesions if you must leave the house.

• Let your healthcare provider know you've been tested.

• Keep pets like dogs away to prevent any potential spread.

If your test results are positive:

• Continue isolating until your lesions are fully healed (this usually takes 2-4 weeks).

• Avoid physical contact with others and, if possible, use a separate bathroom.

• Wear a mask if you can't fully isolate and wash your hands frequently.

• Clean any personal items like clothing or bedding.

• Stay isolated until all scabs have fallen off and new skin has formed.

Patients should be treated based on their symptoms to support their recovery:

• Fever and pain: Take medicines like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

• Mouth rash: Rinse with salt water, prescription mouthwashes, or local anesthetics.

• Body rash: Use topical gels and creams, like benzocaine/lidocaine gels, calamine lotion, or petroleum jelly. Take an oral antihistamine or soak in a warm bath with over-the-counter bath products.

• General: Eat healthy foods and drink lots of water.

Pain is a common symptom of mpox, especially from the rash or lesions, and can be managed.

• For mild pain: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help.

• For severe rectal pain or proctitis: Topical treatments like lidocaine, sitz baths, and even prescription medications like gabapentin can be effective.

• For mouth lesions: Rinsing with saltwater or using viscous lidocaine can reduce discomfort.

• Always consult with a healthcare provider before using prescription medications.

Certain individuals may need medication, particularly if:

• They have severe symptoms like large lesions or infections.

• They have underlying conditions like being immunocompromised, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

​For more severe disease symptoms, if you are in the U.S. speak with a healthcare professional about antiviral agents that are available for use under compassionate use protocols.​

• Tecovirimat is available through an expanded access protocol held by the CDC. For more information, visit CDC Obtaining Tecovirimat or call CDC Emergency Operations Center at 1.770.488.7100 or email poxvirus@cdc.gov.

• Brincidofovir and Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIGIV) are additional therapeutics, available from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), that can be considered for treatment of mpox in certain patients who necessitate an additional or alternative treatment to tecovirimat. Cidofovir is a commercially available antiviral that has the same mechanism of action as brincidofovir and could also be considered.

• For patients with eye infections involving mpox, trifluridine ophthalmic solution might also be considered after consultation with ophthalmologists.

​For more severe disease symptoms, if you are outside the U.S., speak with a healthcare professional about antiviral agents that are available for use under compassionate use protocols or in clinical trials (e.g., tecovirimat). Tecovirimat-SIGA has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Norwegian Medicines Agency, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA-UK) for the treatment of mpox in adults and children weighing at least 13kg.

Continue isolating yourself until your lesions are fully healed (this usually takes 2-4 weeks).

• Avoid physical contact with others and, if possible, use a separate bathroom.

• Wear a mask if you can't fully isolate and wash your hands frequently.

• Clean any personal items like clothing or bedding.

• Stay isolated until all scabs have fallen off and new skin has formed.