Mpox is a viral infection that is currently on everyone’s radar. Should we be concerned? Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control project (EpiC) Philippines, a project funded by USAID and PEPFAR and led by FHI360, presents everything the public, especially people living with HIV (PLHIV), needs to know about this disease.

What is mpox?
Mpox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. According to the World Health Organization, mpox causes symptoms that are similar to smallpox. The key difference between the two infections is that mpox causes swelling of the lymph nodes. The most common symptoms of mpox include a rash with blisters on the face, hands, feet, or even the genitals, fever, headaches, muscle pain, back aches, and fatigue.

How is it spread?
Mpox is primarily spread through close physical contact with someone who has the monkeypox virus, especially direct contact with the rash. This includes hugging, kissing, and sexual contact, such as penetrative sex or oral sex. The monkeypox virus can also be spread through talking, breathing or singing face to face with someone who is infected, or by touching contaminated surfaces, such as bedsheets, towels, or gadgets.

Mpox, HIV, and ways to protect yourself
Persons living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load status from taking their daily antiretroviral drugs (ARV) do not have a higher risk of developing more severe cases of mpox. This is why it is important for persons living with HIV to continue their antiretroviral therapy (ART) to maintain a healthy immune system that can protect them from mpox and other infections.

Mpox is not solely transmitted sexually—rather, mpox can be spread through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, handshaking, hugging and other acts that result to skin-to-skin contact. If ART and protective methods such as condoms and PrEP are able to significantly prevent the spread of HIV, this is not effective when it comes to mpox. A more helpful precaution is to communicate openly and honestly with your partner whether either of you are experiencing mpox symptoms or have been in recent contact with someone with mpox or has recent exposure to it.

Other ways to prevent the contraction are to avoid densely crowded public places where there are greater chances of skin-to-skin contact, or if you are living with someone who has contracted mpox, it is important to stay in separate rooms, provide them with their own set of things to use, and avoid sharing personal items like towels or clothing.

However, if you suspect you have been infected with mpox and are exhibiting mpox symptoms, contact your nearest health center or hospital immediately. Isolate yourself in a separate room with good ventilation and coordinate with your local health provider for further advice. Avoid bathroom sharing, and if this cannot be done, regularly disinfect the bathroom after each use, and disinfect high contact areas as well, like doorknobs, stair railings, tables, or faucets.

Mpox usually resolves within 2 to 4 weeks, and its symptoms, such as muscle pain or fever, can be treated and managed with over-the-counter medicines, as advised by your doctor.

“We as the general public can do our part to keep safe and minimize the effects of mpox in the Philippines by being vigilant, taking the necessary precautions, and staying updated and well-informed,” said EpiC Philippines Project Director Teresita Bagasao. “Knowing one’s own risks remains the most effective prevention method for now,” she added.