Mpox Illness
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Overview
Mpox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness. Mpox virus has typically been found in west or central Africa. The first human case of mpox was recorded in 1970. Since then, mpox has been reported in people in several other central and western African countries. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, nearly all mpox cases outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs or through imported animals. However, the majority of cases in 2022 that are outside of Africa are being identified in many countries throughout the world and primarily involve men who have sex with men.
Anyone can get mpox. A lot of close contact with other people – skin-to-skin or face-to-face – can increase your risk. You can lower your risk by limiting your direct physical contact between yourself and others in crowded situations. In the current mpox outbreak, those in close, sexual networks (i.e., gay, bisexual, and other same-gender loving men) make up the majority of mpox cases. However, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has mpox is at risk.
Symptoms
Symptoms typically start between 6-13 days after being infected, but can range from 5-21 days. Symptoms of mpox can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
People may or may not get other symptoms in addition to the rash. The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. You are no longer infectious when the lesions have scabbed, the scabs have fallen off and new skin has formed.
Prevention
The following steps can be taken to prevent getting mpox:
- Avoid close, skin to skin contact with the mpox rash.
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of person with mpox.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with mpox.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a sick person.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after contact with sick people.
- In Central and West Africa, avoid contact with animals that can spread the mpox virus, usually rodents and primates. Also, avoid sick or dead animals and bedding or other materials they have touched.
A person who is sick with mpox should isolate at home. If they have an active rash or other symptoms, they should be in a separate room or area from other family members and pets when possible.
Mpox is rare and does not spread easily between people without close contact. The threat of monkeypox to the general U.S. population remains LOW.
If You Are Symptomatic or Have Been Exposed
If you have recently been in contact with someone who is ill with similar symptoms or are currently experiencing similar symptoms, make an appointment with your healthcare provider and avoid contact with others.
For more information, visit:
https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/monkeypox.html
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html
Mpox Vaccination
You may contact the following healthcare providers to schedule an mpox vaccination appointment. Please note that VNA requires you to be a current client.
Healthcare Providers
Clinicians should immediately report any suspect cases in residents of Kane County to the Kane County Health Department (during or after work hours) at 630-208-3801 and take appropriate infection control precautions.
Clinicians will need to consult with the Kane County Health Department regarding approval for testing at IDPH labs. However,
commercial testing is now available through
Lab Corp,
Quest, and
Aegis Labs.
Resources for Healthcare Providers
