Guidelines
Clinical Presentation

Clinical Presentation

Transmission

Transmitted through close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials (i.e., bedding) from infected persons

Mpox is sexually transmissible in so much that sexual activity often includes close contact of skin and mucosa. However sexual activity is not a requirement to contract an infection

Clinical Presentation

  • Incubation period is usually between 6-13 days (range 5-21 days)
  • Initial presentation is characterized by fever, headache, lymphadenopathy, back pain, and fatigue
  • One-three days after fever, a characteristic rash can occur
    • Tends to be located on the face and extremities rather than the trunk
    • Can also affect the palms/soles, mucus membranes, genitalia, and conjunctivae
    • Rash evolves and forms macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, and crusts
  • Disease is usually self-limited, symptoms can last from 2-4 weeks
  • Severe cases may be seen in children under 6 months of age or in immunocompromised patients
  • The case fatality rate of the current hMPXV outbreak is estimated to be less than 1%