If you have monkeypox, you are advised to stay at home while you have monkeypox symptoms, including until your monkeypox rash has healed and a new layer of skin has formed. While most people with monkeypox recover fully within 2 to 4 weeks without the need for medical treatment it is important to manage your symptoms and take care of yourself to prevent further spread.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox at this time. Because the viruses that cause monkeypox and smallpox are closely related, drugs and vaccines developed to treat and protect against smallpox may be effective for monkeypox.
The type of treatment recommended for a person with monkeypox will depend on how sick someone gets or whether they’re likely to get severely ill. Most people with monkeypox recover fully within 2 to 4 weeks without the need for medical treatment.
- Antivirals such as tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems
Taking Care of Yourself
- Use gauze or bandages to cover the rash to limit spread to others and to the environment
- Don’t lance (pop) or scratch lesions from the rash – this does not speed up recovery and can spread the virus to other parts of the body, increase the chance of spreading the virus to others, and possibly cause the open lesions to become infected
- Do not shave the area with the rash until the scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed – shaving can spread the virus and cause more lesions
- Keep skin lesions/rash clean and dry when not showering or bathing
- Wear a well-fitting mask around other people until the rash and all other symptoms have resolved
- Eat healthy and get plenty of rest to allow your body to heal
- If you have rash on your hands, wear gloves that are non-irritating when handling common objects or touching surfaces in shared spaces
- If you can, use disposable gloves that can be discarded after each use – reusable gloves should be washed with soap and water between use
- Wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after direct contact with the rash
- If you have a rash on your hands, be careful when washing or using sanitizer so as not to irritate the rash
Managing Your Symptoms
Medicines like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help you feel better. Your healthcare provider may prescribe stronger pain relievers as well.
For rash in the mouth, rinse with salt water at least four times a day. Prescription mouthwashes, sometimes called miracle or magic mouthwash, or local anesthetics like viscous lidocaine can be used to manage pain. Oral antiseptics like chlorhexidine mouthwash can be used to help keep the mouth clean.
Contact your healthcare provider if pain becomes severe and unmanageable at home.
Rash Relief
The most important thing is to try to not touch or scratch the rash. This can spread the rash to other parts of the body, increase the chance of spreading the virus to others, and possibly cause open lesions to become infected by bacteria. If you do accidentally touch the rash, wash your hands with soap and water and avoid touching sensitive areas like your eyes, nose, mouth, genitals and rectum (butthole).
Topical benzocaine/lidocaine gels can be used for temporary relief. Oral antihistamines such as Benadryl and topical creams such as calamine lotion or petroleum jelly may help with itching.
Soaking in a warm bath (using oatmeal or other over-the-counter bath products for itchy skin) may offer some relief to the dry, itchy sensations that can come with the rash.
People who have the rash in or around their anus or genitals (penis, testicles, labia, vagina), or perineum (taint) may also benefit from a sitz-bath. A sitz bath is a round, shallow basin that can be purchased online or at a pharmacy. Most fit over the rim of a toilet but can also be placed in a bathtub. There is also the option to sit in a bathtub with shallow water. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication like povidone-iodine or other products to be added to the water in a sitz bath. Adding Epsom salt, vinegar, or baking soda to the water can be soothing.
Preventing Spread to Others
If you have monkeypox, you are advised to stay at home (isolate) if you have monkeypox symptoms, including until your monkeypox rash has healed and a new layer of skin has formed. Staying away from other people and not sharing things you have touched with others will help prevent the spread of monkeypox. Monkeypox can also spread to animals, so staying away from pets, livestock and other animals is important.
Vaccines
There are currently two vaccines licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for preventing monkeypox infection – JYNNEOS and ACAM2000. In the United States, there is currently a limited supply of JYNNEOS, although more is expected in coming weeks and months. While there is an ample supply of ACAM2000, this vaccine should not be used if people have certain health conditions (e.g., immunocompromised, skin conditions, pregnancy, etc.).
At this time, available vaccine supply is being mobilized to high need areas and prioritized for use for the following individuals:
- Anyone of any sexual orientation or gender identity who has had multiple or unknown sexual partners in the past two weeks, including those considered higher risk: gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, and immunocompromised individuals; or
- Anyone of any sexual orientation or gender identity who are aware that one or more of their sexual partners from the past two weeks has been exposed to MPX.