Coping With Mpox

It can be distressing to be diagnosed with mpox (formerly known as mpox), an infectious viral disease closely related to smallpox. While most people fully recover within two to four weeks, the process can be taxing physically and emotionally.

Mpox infections can also be painful, causing unsightly crusting rashes and intense flu-like symptoms. Although less common, complications like diarrhea, vomiting, and eye infections also can occur.

Adding to the burden is the emotional stress that mpox can inflict. This can develop due to the stigma that some people feel when diagnosed with a disease that can be passed through sexual contact. Others struggle with having to isolate themselves during recovery to prevent the further transmission of infection.

In some cases, the emotional toll can be just as strong—if not stronger—than the physical toll.

This article offers tips and tools to help you better cope with mpox, addressing not only your physical and practical needs but also your social and emotional ones.

Emotional

Getting any communicable disease can be distressing, particularly ones that people are not familiar with. It raises questions not only about how the disease is spread but how you got it and what risk you pose as an individual.

The 2022 outbreak of mpox in the United States and Europe was a key example of this. Unlike past outbreaks of mpox in West Africa and Central Africa, this outbreak predominantly affected men who have sex with men (MSM) who passed the virus through sex.

Despite efforts to avoid stigmatization of the virus, fear-based messaging in the media fueled speculation among some that mpox was a "gay disease" or a sexually transmitted infection (STI)—even though sex is only one possible mode of transmission.

The feelings of distress may be amplified if you need to disclose your status to someone you've been in intimate contact with or to whom you want to avoid transmitting the virus.

There are several things you can do to better overcome the emotional impact of having mpox, including:

• Remember that anyone can get mpox: While the 2022 outbreak was mainly fueled by the sexual transmission of the virus, mpox can also be spread by skin-to-skin contact with a lesion, contact with contaminated objects, or contact with respiratory secretions. Children can get it as well as adults.
• Educate yourself with reliable sources: This can help you better understand how to care for yourself and others, and it may also help you disclose your status if you can share facts and dispel myths about the virus.
• Work with your healthcare provider: If diagnosed with mpox, let your healthcare provider know what you feel emotionally and physically. They can refer you to a counselor or therapist if needed. They can also help explain mpox to your partner and offer them the mpox vaccine as a preventive measure.
• Avoid internal stigmatization: This is about your negative thoughts and attitudes based on your own feelings of shame or expectations of discrimination. The bottom line is to not let these feelings stand in your way of getting tested if you think you have mpox or getting vaccinated if you are at risk of exposure.
  

Physical

The symptoms of mpox vary from one person to the next. Some people develop flu-like symptoms before the appearance of a rash, while others develop the rash and then flu-like symptoms. Still others only get the rash.

There are no licensed treatments for mpox. Treatment instead is based on managing symptoms and avoiding complications like eye infections and secondary bacterial infections.

Here is a list of dos and don'ts to help you better manage mpox symptoms:

• Do get plenty of rest: Treat the flu-like symptoms of mpox as you would for the flu. In addition to rest, drink plenty of fluids and use pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) to treat headaches, fever, and muscle aches. Cough syrups or lozenges can help ease a sore throat.
• Don't scratch: Start by trimming your fingernails. You can help lessen the pain and itch with a cold compress, calamine lotion, and numbing creams containing lidocaine. An antihistamine like Claritin (loratadine) or Benadryl (diphenhydramine) may also reduce itch and swelling.
• Do treat mouth pain: Suck on ice chips or sip ice water to ease the pain caused by the outbreak of sores in your mouth. Rinse or gargle with salt water, baking soda, or antiseptic mouthwash containing hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine to reduce pain and promote healing.
• Don't touch your eyes: Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes to prevent infections like blepharitis (eyelid infection) or conjunctivitis (pink eye). If a mild eye infection occurs, over-the-counter (OTC) artificial tears, antihistamine eye drops, or decongestant eye drops may help.
• Do know the signs of infection: Secondary infections can occur if you scratch a rash and transmit bacteria to underlying tissues. Signs include increasing pain, redness, swelling, heat, fever, and a foul-smelling discharge. Call your healthcare provider, as antibiotics may be needed.
  
• Don't get dehydrated. In addition to treating diarrhea or vomiting that can occur with mpox, you may need to replenish lost fluids with oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte or Gatorade, particularly if you have signs of dehydration.
  

Social

Support is needed whenever faced with a distressing illness. With mpox, this can be challenging given that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends isolation for the duration of the illness. In practical terms, this means separating yourself from others until your symptoms are fully resolved, usually between two and four weeks.

It is important to reach out to family, friends, and colleagues who can provide you with the emotional and practical support you need. This may involve chatting with you or picking up medications or groceries for you. Depending on the stage of the infection, the contact may be limited to phone calls, text, or video conferencing, particularly in the early stages.

Your healthcare team can also provide support, either by telephone or via telehealth. If your healthcare provider is unavailable and you need information, advice, or a referral, call your state or local health department, many of which have set up dedicated mpox hotlines with trained operators.

Many community-based LGBTQ centers have also done the same. They offer culturally sensitive health and prevention information to community members and referrals to medical, mental health, or vaccine providers in your area.

Because mpox is a relatively new disease and infections are usually short-lived, there are few support group options. In response, some people have taken to queer party group chats on Twitter, Grindr, and others to disseminate information and offer support in hard-hit MSM communities.

Practical

If you get mpox, it is important to isolate yourself. What this means varies by the stage and scope of your symptoms.

According to the CDC:

• If you have a fever and respiratory symptoms, remain isolated at home and stay away from others unless it is necessary to see a healthcare provider or for an emergency.
• If you have a rash but no fever or respiratory symptoms, avoid close contact with others (including pets), wear a tight-fitting face mask, and cover all rashes with gloves, clothing, or bandages.
• Until all symptoms are fully resolved, avoid crowds and close physical contact with others. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer. Do not share cups or utensils, and launder or disinfect any item that has come into contact with lesions.

Coping With Isolation

Arguably, the larger issue is coping with the stress (and boredom) of recovering in isolation. There are a few things that can help you cope if you need to isolate yourself, including:

• Remind yourself that isolation is temporary.
• See if you can work at home if you are unable or unwilling to take leave.
• Maintain daily routines, including preparing and eating meals and getting up and going to bed at the same time every day.
• Schedule regular chats and video conferences with others to ensure social interactions.
• Find ways to exercise even if you've never done so before. YouTube videos are a great resource.
• Explore new hobbies rather than sitting in front of the TV or playing video games all day.
• Accept your feelings. It is better to share them with others than to try to numb them with alcohol or drugs.
• If you cannot cope, do not hesitate to ask a healthcare provider for a referral to a therapist or counselor who can help.
  

Summary

Getting mpox can be distressing, impacting both your physical health and emotional well-being. By learning more about the disease, including how it is treated and prevented, you can take steps to minimize symptoms, avoid the spread of infection, and overcome feelings of fear and stigma.

The CDC advises anyone with mpox to isolate themselves until the symptoms are fully resolved, usually within two to four weeks. With preparation and acceptance, you'll be better able to cope while in isolation and protect others from this contagious viral disease.