MPOX
Mpox is previously known as monkeypox. This is a viral illness and an infectious disease caused by the mpox virus.
Mpox is transmitted to humans through:
1. Direct contact (with skin, or mucosal lesions, through talking, breathing, kissing, touching, hugging and sex, and respiratory secretions; 2. Indirect transmission through contaminated beddings, clothings or linens.
Clinically, mpox will present as: skin rash or mucosal lesions with fever; swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, back pains, headache and low energy.
How does mpox differ from chickenpox?
1. Fever, Mpox: 1-3 days before rash; Cpox:1-2 days before rash
Measles: 3-5 days before rash
2. Rash – Mpox: looks like blisters or raised lesions; Cpox: lesions in multiple stages of development; Measles: lesions in multiple stages of development
3. Rash development – Mpox: slow; Cpox: rapid; Measles: rapid
4. Rash distribution – Mpox: more dense on face, Present in palm/ soles; Cpox: trunk, Absent in palms and soles; Measles: starts in face and going down reaching the lower extremities
5. Lymph nodes – Mpox: positive; Cpox: negative; Measles: occasional
6. Chance of death – Mpox: up to 10%; Cpox: rare;
Measles: varies widely