Mpox

Symptoms of mpox typically include a fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash or lesions. Skin changes may appear on the face, hands, feet, mouth and / or in the genital or anus area (especially in cases where the infection was transmitted through sex).

The symptoms of mpox can be very diverse, and it can easily be confused with STIs. Mpox can have very mild symptoms. You should pay attention to skin changes, especially if you have recently had new sexual partners.

The typical incubation period is 6–13 days, but it can be up to 21 days. Symptoms typically last between 2 to 4 weeks and go away on their own without a treatment.

Mpox does not spread from one person to another very easily. It requires close physical contact. Mpox can spread via close skin-to-skin contact during sex, including kissing, touching, oral and penetrative sex with someone who has symptoms.

The infection can be contracted through direct close contact with the skin changes of a sick person, for example through sexual contact as well as through droplets in a close face-to-face contact. Read the definition of close contacts by Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

Condom protects against sexually transmitted infections, but against mpox it does not provide adequate protection. At the moment, there is not enough information about the protection that a condom provides against mpox. Clothing, bedding and towels that have been contaminated with the virus can also infect others.

There is a test for mpox. Mpox infection can be detected in laboratory tests of samples taken from skin changes using the gene amplification (PCR) method. In Finland, samples can be taken in any health care district. 

It is important to note that the risk of mpox is not limited to men who have sex with men. Anyone who has close contact with someone who is infectious is at risk. Having multiple sexual partners is known to increase the risk of getting infected. However, given that the virus is being identified in these communities, learning about mpox will help ensure that as few people as possible are affected and that the outbreak can be stopped.

In the prevention of mpox, it is important to get information about the ways of infection and symptoms of mpox, so that you can get tested if necessary and avoid contact if you have been infected.

Several sporadic sexual contacts have been found to increase the risk of being infected with mpox. Mpox is known to be transmitted in places and events where sex is practiced. If you want to reduce the risk of mpox, you can consider reducing your sexual partners and evaluate going to places and events where you have sex.

It is good to know that the mpox situation in Finland is good at the moment, but in many European countries, such as Spain, there are significantly more mpox cases. This should be taken into account when travelling and returning from a trip. It is important to monitor your own and your partner’s symptoms and get tested if necessary.

There is a vaccine for mpox that protects against infection. Those who belong to the risk groups for mpox are recommended to take the vaccine. The vaccine has been available in Finland since October 2022 for risk groups. Read more about vaccine HERE

A condom effectively protects against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, but against mpox it does not provide adequate protection. Good hand hygiene and coughing hygiene reduce the risk of infection.

If you identify a new rash anywhere on your body, seek medical advice by calling your healthcare provider. If you live in Helsinki University Hospital area (HUS), you can contact the Venereal diseases outpatient clinic. If mpox is transmitted during sex, the rash may first appear around the genitals or the anus. Avoid having close contact with anyone until the rash is completely gone.

• If possible, self-isolate and avoid close contact with others, unless advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.
• Ask your close contacts and sexual partners if they have had similar symptoms.
• If you notice a new rash on your partner’s body, including around the genitals and anus, talk with them and advise that they visit an STI clinic or consult a healthcare provider.

If your healthcare provider confirms you have mpox, follow their advice. Depending on the national recommendations, advice may include the following:

• Self-isolate if you can, and in particular you should avoid contact with pregnant women, young children, or immunocompromised individuals. You are contagious until the last scab has fallen off.
• Take a break from sex.
• Communicate the list of events you have attended in the last 21 days to the health authorities so they can alert other community members who may have been infected.
• Share the details of close and sexual contacts with health authorities or get in touch with them directly so they can be informed and can protect themselves and others.
• Because of current uncertainties about the ways of transmission, as a precaution wear a condom for 12 weeks even after you have fully recovered.

Mpox usually heals on its own and the treatment is used according to the symptoms. If necessary, pain and inflammation caused by blisters can be treated with various analgesics or anesthetic ointments and gels.

Mpox can also be treated with a drug called Tecovirimat (TPOXX). However, the medicine is not available in Finland and its availability is currently poor even globally.

At the end of August 2022, approximately 1400 vaccines used for the prevention of mpox arrived in Finland through a joint procurement by the EU.

The vaccine is called Jynneos, and it’s used to prevent mpox in both the US and the EU. The vaccine provides protection against diseases caused by orthopox viruses, such as smallpox and mpox.

Mpox vaccinations are offered to people at high risk of being infected with mpox and for those who are exposed to mpox. Read more about vaccinations here.