Is this your symptom?
- Pimples or blister(s) on the genitals or anus, face, inside mouth, palms, soles, or chest
- May have started with flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, aches)
- Can infect anyone, but gay or bisexual men are at highest risk. Infections in women and children are rare.
Background
Mpox (formerly called Monkeypox) was first discovered in 1958 in a group of research monkeys. The first human case was reported in 1970 in Africa. The smallpox vaccine could prevent mpox infection. But the vaccine has not been given to humans since the 1970's, so much of the population is unprotected.
Symptoms evolve over time.
- After exposure, there is a period of 1-2 weeks where you might get the early symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches and tiredness. Then lymph node swelling begins. This could be anywhere on the body, but often in the armpit or neck.
- After this earlier phase, the rash appears. There may be just one blister or clusters of blisters. They can occur on any part of the body. In gay or bisexual men, the blisters (lesions) are mostly being found in the anus or on the genitals.
- These skin lesions go through stages:
- start as red and flat
- then raising up and blister(s) form
- then the blister fluid looks white/yellow inside
- then scabbing and healing.
How it is Spread
- Mpox virus can spread from:
- person-to-person contact, such as direct contact with the blisters or scabs
- contact with infected body fluids that might be on bedding, towels or clothing
- respiratory droplets (from breathing) during close contact like kissing, cuddling or sex
- a scratch or bite from an animal with the mpox virus (rare)
- eating the meat of an infected animal (very rare)
- Pregnant women can spread the virus to their unborn baby.
- Experts are not certain whether the virus is spread in semen or vaginal fluids.
Other Mpox Facts
- Incubation Period. Symptoms start between 6-13 days after an exposure.
- Prevention/Vaccine. There are two FDA approved vaccines (JYNNEOS and ACAM2000) being used to help prevent mpox. The vaccines can help decrease the severity of the symptoms. This may be very helpful for high-risk people.
- Treatment. There are no effective treatments for mpox at this time. Antivirals are being used for those at greatest risk of severe disease, such as those with weak immune systems.
When to Call for Mpox (formerly Monkeypox)
Call 911 Now
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Call 911 Now
- Not moving or too weak to stand
- Not alert when awake or "out of it"
- You think you have a life-threatening emergency
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Very painful sore in the anus
- You feel dehydrated (dark urine, dry mouth)
- You were exposed to someone with mpox and you have a weak immune system. Examples are diabetes, sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, kidney problems.
- You feel weak or very sick
- You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- You have had contact with someone in a high-risk group for mpox (men who have sex with men) and have these symptoms:
- Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches
- Large lymph nodes
- New blister or group of blisters filled with white fluid. These may be around the anus or genitals, mouth, hands, bottom of your feet, or chest. The blisters are often painful.
- The blisters may appear as scabs.
- Close contact with skin, body fluids, bedding, towels or clothes of someone that has been diagnosed with mpox
- You think you have mpox
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- New blister or group of blisters and you are not sure where they came from. No fever or flu-like symptoms.
- You are worried you might have mpox
- You have other questions or concerns
Care Advice for Stomach Pain
What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
- Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
- Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
- Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids:
- Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
- For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting:
- Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
Pass a Stool:
- Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
- This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
- Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
- Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
What to Expect:
- With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
- With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
- With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Extra Help - Worried Stomach:
- Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
- Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
- To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.
