Causes and Risk Factors of Mpox

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral infection. It comes from the same family as the smallpox virus and causes a similar rash. But mpox is not as contagious and generally causes milder symptoms than smallpox.

Classic symptoms of mpox are fever, body aches, fatigue, and headaches, followed by a rash that lasts anywhere from two to four weeks. Most people who contract mpox will have mild symptoms and recover without treatment.

Others, especially those with compromised immune systems, will need antiviral medicines. It is also possible to develop serious complications from the virus, such as severe scarring, vision problems, and pneumonia.

A person can be exposed to mpox through close contact with an infected animal or person. By July 25, 2022, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were tracking 3,487 cases of mpox in the United States.

This article will cover the causes and risk factors for mpox. 

Common Causes 

Most people who contract mpox have had close contact with an infected person. There are two ways in which mpox is transmitted from a person with the virus to someone else—by contact and by respiratory droplets. You can also acquire mpox after direct contact with an affected animal.

Contact With Body Fluids or Infection Skin Lesions

According to the CDC, the mpox virus is found in bodily fluids and skin lesions. You could acquire the virus if you have had physical contact with someone who is sick with the virus. 

Prolonged physical contact that could lead to mpox includes:

• Skin-to-skin contact: This includes hugging, touching, playing, or face-to-face contact.
• Contact with surfaces touched by a person with mpox: These include bedding, towels, and objects like eating utensils.
• Sexual intercourse, including oral, anal, and vaginal: Mpox is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but can be transmitted through contact with infectious bodily fluids.
  

Respiratory Droplets 

Researchers also believe that mpox can spread through contact with respiratory droplets that land on the hands, objects, and surfaces when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Respiratory droplets that transmit mpox are large, causing them to drop out of the air quickly. These droplets only travel a few feet from the affected person. That means to contract the virus from a person with mpox, you would have to have close contact with them for an extended time.

Contact With an Animal With Mpox

Humans can also contract mpox from animals with mpox. Before 2022, animal-to-person transmission was much more common, but most people, especially in the United States, are more likely to contract mpox after exposure to a person with the virus.

Animal-to-human transmission can occur after direct contact with the animal's body fluids or through a bite. According to the CDC, it is also possible to get mpox "by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal," although this is not a likely occurrence in the United States.

Risk Factors 

Some groups of people might be at an increased risk of contracting mpox. 

People who might have a higher risk of mpox are:

• International travelers: Anyone who travels to an endemic country (places where the virus has ongoing circulation) or places with outbreaks is at an increased risk for mpox. This risk is even higher if you participate in activities involving contact with people or animals with the virus.
• Individuals who engage in anonymous sex: While mpox is not an STI since it can be passed on in other ways, it is transmitted through body fluids, close contact, and skin-to-skin contact. The 2022 multinational outbreak mainly passed from person to person through sexual contact.
• People who have contact with animals with the virus: Animal-to-human transmission of mpox can occur when a person has contact with an animal (i.e., a squirrel, rat, or monkey) with mpox. This can occur if an animal with mpox bites or scratches you. Contact with lesions of an animal with mpox or its saliva can also transmit mpox. 
• Healthcare workers: It is possible to contract mpox after caring for a person with the disease. In a healthcare setting, the virus can be transmitted through direct contact with a person's bodily fluids, lesions, or respiratory droplets. It might also occur through contact with bedding or clothing used by a person with the virus. 

Summary

Mpox is an infection that is caused by a virus similar to the one that causes smallpox. Symptoms of mpox are similar to smallpox symptoms but are typically milder. People can develop mpox if they have had direct contact with a person or animal that has the virus. In the United States, human-to-human contact is much more common. 

Prolonged direct contact has to have occurred for someone to acquire mpox. This contact can occur through kissing or sexual intercourse, contact with infected bedding or clothing, or respiratory droplets from a person with mpox.

Some people might be at a higher risk for mpox, including international travelers to endemic regions, people who engage in anonymous sex, people who are around animals with the virus, and healthcare workers treating individuals with mpox.

A Word From Verywell 

Most people do not need to worry about mpox. But it is a good idea to be mindful of how it spreads. 

If you know someone who has the virus, avoid direct skin contact with that person. You will also want to avoid sharing clothing, bedding, cups, or utensils. Take precautions when caring for someone who has mpox lesions on their body. 

If you develop symptoms of mpox, you should self-isolate to prevent spreading the virus. Early signs of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. A rash typically follows within a few days. You should call a healthcare provider immediately if you think you were exposed to the virus and start to experience symptoms.