Mpox
Mpox is a disease caused by a virus (Mpox virus) not commonly seen in the United States. Mpox can cause a rash which may look like pimples or blisters, sometimes with a flu-like illness. While CDC works to contain the current outbreak and learn more about the virus, it is important that you to have information so you can make informed choices when you are in spaces or situations where Mpox could be spread. Mpox can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take several weeks.
Have a question or concern? Email hcph.id@gmail.com or call 513-946-7874 for more information.
What should a person do if they have a new or unexplained rash or other symptoms?
Immediate actions:
- Self isolate.
- Avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until you have been checked out by a healthcare provider.
- Avoid gatherings, especially if they involve close, personal, skin-to-skin contact.
- Think about the people you have had close, personal, or sexual contact during the last 21 days, including people you met through dating apps. To help stop the spread, you might be asked to share this information if you have received a monkeypox diagnosis.
Seeking Care:
- CALL your primary care doctor or urgent care before arriving in person. Let them know you have symptoms or have a confirmed exposure. This will allow staff time to prepare for a safe visit for you, them, and other patients.
For uninsured, under-insured and Medicaid recipients – you can visit one of the following Federally Qualified Health Centers:
1401 Steffen Ave.
Appointments: (513) 588-3623
1411 Compton Rd.
Information: (513) 522-7500
Appointments: (513) 588-3623
2805 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45206
Phone: (513) 815-4475
3559 Reading Road, Suite 101
513-357-7320
2750 Beekman Street
513-357-7320 during the week
513-352-3191 on Saturday
5818 Madison Road
513-357-7320
1525 Elm Street
513-357-7320
3917 Spring Grove Avenue
513-357-7320
2136 W. 8th Street
513-357-7320
How is Mpox Spread?
Mpox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact including:
- Direct contact with Mpox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with Mpox. We believe this is currently the most common way that Mpox is spreading in the U.S.
- Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with Mpox.
- Contact with respiratory secretions.
This contact can happen during intimate contact including:
- Oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) of a person with Mpox.
- Hugging, massage, and kissing.
- Prolonged face-to-face contact.
- Touching fabrics and objects during sex that were used by a person with Mpox and that have not been disinfected, such as bedding, towels, fetish gear, and sex toys.
What are the symptoms of Mpox?
- You may experience all or only a few of the symptoms of Mpox.
- Most people with Mpox will get a rash.
- Some people have developed a rash before (or without) flu-like symptoms.
- Mpox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus.
- The flu-like symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, sore throat, cough, swollen lymph nodes, chills, or exhaustion.
- If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.
- The rash may be located on or near the genitals or anus but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, or face.
- The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
- The rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
- The rash may also be inside the body, including the mouth, vagina, or anus.
- The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
