Mpox (Monkeypox) Testing

Mpox has an incubation period of 1-3 weeks. That means that if a person is exposed today, it may take 1-3 weeks to start developing symptoms. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

After 1-2 weeks, a prodrome of fever, body aches, and lymphadenopathy, occur. These symptoms are followed by a PASTULAR OR VESICULAR RASH, that begins in the trunk and spreads to the extremities. The rash also affects palms and soles.
Keep in mind: Prodrome symptoms may or may not occur, and may happen after the rash had began.

About 40% of the time, oral and anal mucosal involvement is seen, which can lead to pharyngitis, epiglottitis, proctitis, urethritis, balanitis, etc., and is usually painful rashes.

Mpox is spread by direct contact with the rash, scabs, touching objects that have been touched by someone with monkeypox, or through respiratory secretions.

Currently, incidences of Monkeypox are most common amongst homosexual men and the transmission happens through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual intercourse. Persons with HIV infection are at high risk of progression to severe disease, Especially if their HIV is not controlled well by medications.