Other names: Monkeypox Prophylaxis
Updated - September 16, 2022. M Puckey BPharm
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a disease caused by the Monkeypox virus. Monkeypox is a virus that belongs to the same virus family (Poxviridae) which causes cowpox, smallpox, vaccinia and molluscum contagiosum. The pox viruses cause pox lesions and can leave pockmark scars after the rash has healed.
The monkeypox virus was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has been found in Western and Central Africa since then.
The current monkeypox virus disease outbreak started in May 2022. Cases have now been reported in more than 80 countries.
How do you get monkeypox?
How the monkeypox virus is transmitted is through close physical, intimate or sexual contact:
- Contact with skin rash, scabs or body fluids with someone who has monkeypox.
- Touching objects, surfaces, clothing bedding or towels used by someone with monkeypox rash.
- Contact with respiratory secretions.
The monkeypox virus is able to be spread from when symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The monkeypox illness typically lasts 2–4 weeks.
Anyone can get monkeypox but the current global outbreak has disproportionately impacted:
- men who have sex with men (MSM)
- people who have sex with MSM which includes people of any gender or sexual identity, whether they are transgender or cisgender, and non-binary people.
Monkeypox Symptoms
Monkeypox develops as a rash, spots or blisters on the place on the body where the virus first infects. The skin symptoms may spread to other parts of the body such as the palms of the hand, soles of the feet, inside the mouth, or on the genitals.
What does the monkeypox rash look like?
The rash usually goes through 4 stages before the rash drys and the scabs fall off.
- flat, discoloured lesions
- solid, raised lesions
- fluid-filled lesions
- pus-filled lesions
- scabs - crust, dry and fall off leaving pockmark scars
Other common symptoms of monkeypox can include:
- fever, chills or swollen glands
- respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough
- headache
- muscle aches, backache and body aches
- tiredness
If you have caught the monkeypox virus symptoms will usually start within 3 weeks
The time from when you have contact with the monkey virus till when symptoms start is usually within 3 weeks. If symptoms are flu-like symptoms to start with the rash will often develop within 1 to 4 days.
Monkeypox illness usually lasts between 2 and 4 weeks, and most people recover fully without medical treatment.
Monkeypox is contagious from when you start having symptoms until the rash has healed, the scabs have fallen off and the skin has healed.
Testing for monkeypox
If you have symptoms of monkeypox you should see a healthcare provider to organize testing.
If you have had close physical contact with someone who has monkeypox you should take precautions to reduce spreading the virus and contact a healthcare provider to find out if you need to be tested.
To test for the virus a swab will be rubbed across the affected area. The swab will be sent away to a lab and your results should be available within a few days. While waiting for results you should take precautions to avoid spreading the virus in case you test positive.
Monkeypox treatment
Pain and fever: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Mouth lesions: salt water rinses, chlorhexidine mouthwash or prescription mouthwashes
Rash: do not touch or scratch the rash as this can spread the rash.
If the rash is painful local anesthetic gels can be used for temporary relief.
If the rash is itchy you may try an oral antihistamine or applying a topical anti-itch cream.
People who have weakened immune systems can become more severely ill and may be recommended an antiviral called tecovirimat (TPOXX) which is currently only indicated for use for smallpox. Tecovirimat studies are now underway for the treatment of monkeypox but it currently is not approved for this condition.
Monkeypox prevention
Prevention of monkeypox is by avoiding contact with infected animals and by reducing person to person transmission by isolating infected people, with caregivers following good infection containment practices.
