What Is Mpox (Monkeypox)? Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Mpox, or monkeypox, is caused by an orthopoxvirus in the same family as the variola (smallpox) virus.
อ่านภาษาไทย
Contents
Mpox, or monkeypox, is caused by an orthopoxvirus, which belongs to the same family as the variola virus that causes smallpox. It is found in primates and rodents and is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans and from person to person. Because it was first identified in laboratory monkeys, it became known as "monkeypox." There are two main strains:
- The Congo Basin strain, with a mortality rate of about 10%
- The West African strain, with a mortality rate of about 1%
What are the symptoms of mpox?
After mpox enters the body, it has an incubation period of about 1 to 2 weeks.
- The initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and fatigue.
- After about 1 to 3 days, a rash appears on the arms and legs, and it may also spread to the face and torso.
- The rash develops into pus-filled bumps. In the final stage, these bumps crust over and the scabs fall off.
- The illness usually lasts about 2 to 4 weeks, and most people recover on their own.
- Severe illness is most often seen in children.
How is mpox transmitted?
People can catch mpox from an infected animal through a bite or scratch. Person-to-person transmission happens through direct contact or by handling clothing or bedding contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through breaks in the skin, the respiratory tract, or mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. Based on recent outbreaks, however, many experts believe that sexual contact may also spread the virus.
Diagnosis of mpox
A specialist bases the diagnosis mainly on symptoms, especially fever together with clear fluid-filled bumps, which are telltale signs of mpox. Testing includes real-time PCR to detect the virus's genetic material, which takes 24 to 48 hours, and nucleotide sequencing using DNA sequencing, which takes 4 to 7 days.
How can mpox be prevented?
- Wear a face mask.
- Eat thoroughly cooked food.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap or alcohol-based hand gel.
- Avoid sharing personal items with others.
- Avoid contact with primates and rodents.
- Get the smallpox vaccine, which can protect against mpox with up to 85% effectiveness.
- Avoid direct contact with people who have mpox or who have bumps or a rash on their body.
- Avoid sexual activity with people you do not know. Even though condoms help prevent sexually transmitted infections, they cannot fully prevent mpox, because close skin-to-skin contact can still pass on the virus.
Treatment for mpox
There is currently no specific treatment for mpox. In general, people recover on their own within about 2 to 4 weeks. For those with severe illness, a weakened immune system, or underlying health conditions, treatment may involve Tecovirimat, Cidofovir, or Brincidofovir, which belong to the same class of drugs used to treat smallpox.
Frequently asked questions
Can mpox be cured?
- Most people recover from mpox within about 2–4 weeks with supportive care. Some people need antiviral treatment or hospital care because of severe disease or a higher risk of complications.
If I was vaccinated against smallpox in the past, am I protected?
- A past smallpox vaccination reduces the risk of getting mpox by up to 85%.
Read other related articles
Source: pptvhd36
Although mpox is not currently spreading widely in Thailand, it is worth getting to know this disease so you can stay alert and protect yourself. Washing your hands often, avoiding contact with primates and rodents, wearing a face mask, and keeping your distance are simple steps that can go a long way toward keeping mpox at bay.
Verified references
Links and relevance to the article’s main topic were reviewed on 13 August 2026. Each source supports only the scope stated in the original document and does not replace personalised medical, legal, or service advice.
- WHO: Mpox fact sheet Accessed 13 August 2026
- CDC: About Mpox Accessed 13 August 2026
