Mpox

Einstein Health Glossary

ICD 10 - B04

What is mpox?

Mpox is a disease caused by a virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus family, the same group as smallpox. In the past, it was known as "monkeypox" because the virus was first isolated in 1958 in monkeys from a laboratory in Denmark that originated from the African continent, where the disease is endemic in some countries. The natural host and transmission cycle of the disease are still unknown, although rodents are believed to be the primary reservoir. The main form of transmission is through direct contact with an infected person via skin lesions. It can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated objects, clothing, bed linens, and shared items; and through airborne routes — that is, close contact such as kissing, touching skin lesions, or staying in the same environment as an infected person without proper preventive measures.

Symptoms

The disease can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. Children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems (immunodeficiencies) may experience more severe symptoms. The incubation period — the phase during which the individual shows no symptoms — ranges from six to thirteen days and can extend up to 21 days. The signs and symptoms are similar to those of the flu, last from two to four weeks, and generally include:

fever
headache
muscle pain
fatigue
swollen lymph nodes
painful skin lesions that initially appear as red spots and evolve into small blisters (vesicles) and scabs

Skin lesions may appear before other signs and symptoms. It is important to emphasize that transmission occurs from the onset of symptoms until all scabs have formed, fallen off, and a new layer of skin has developed.

A imagem mostra mãos humanas com bolhas na pele, as quais aparecem como um dos sinais da doença causada pelo Mpox virus

Mpox Symptoms

Symptoms: skin blisters (rash), fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain.

Types

The names of the mpox types have been changed to avoid offending any cultural or ethnic groups and to reduce the negative impact on trade and tourism in African regions where the virus was first identified in 1958:

clade I (formerly known as the Congo Basin clade): causes more severe symptoms
clade II (formerly known as the West African clade): generally causes a milder form of the disease. Clade II is further divided into IIa and IIb

Diagnosis

Mpox is primarily diagnosed through laboratory tests, with the PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) being the most commonly used. It is performed using samples collected from skin lesions, such as fluid from blisters or dried scabs.

There are similarities between mpox, smallpox, chickenpox and herpes, which can make differentiation difficult. Therefore, it is important to rely on the diagnosis of an infectious disease specialist who can accurately identify the illness and recommend appropriate treatment.

In suspected cases, it is essential to avoid close contact with others until symptoms disappear. Immediate isolation is recommended, and personal items such as towels and bed linens should not be shared.

Treatment

In most cases, the infection does not require hospitalization, and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing the condition from worsening. Key treatment measures include:

use of pain relievers
adequate hydration, averaging about two liters of water per day
proper wound care to prevent secondary infections. The use of antiseptic or antibiotic ointments should only be done under medical guidance when bacterial infections are present

Currently, there are no medications specifically approved for mpox. It is important to remember that any medication should be used under medical supervision.