What to do if you are sick
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of mpox, even if you don’t think you have had contact with someone who has mpox.
Most people with mpox fully recover in 2 to 4 weeks and don’t need medical treatment from a healthcare provider. People with a weakened immune system or those who may be more likely to get very ill may need medical treatment.
If you have mpox, stay at home and stay away from other people and animals. You can end your isolation when your rash has healed and a new layer of skin has formed. You can find more information about preventing mpox at CDC’s Prevent Spread to Others webpage.
What are the treatment options for mpox?
There are no specific treatments for mpox, but mpox and smallpox viruses are similar. This means that treatments for smallpox can also help to treat mpox.
Medical treatments are not recommended for everyone who has symptoms of mpox. Antiviral treatments, such as Tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for:
- Patients with weakened immune systems
- Patients with severe symptoms
- Others who are more likely to develop severe symptoms
Otherwise, you can treat many symptoms of mpox at home.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can help to ease your symptoms. See the list below for some examples. Ask your provider or pharmacist for help choosing OTC medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the medicine box and package insert.
General Treatment
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and other fluids, especially if you have diarrhea.
- Keep rash and sores clean and dry to prevent the sores from becoming infected.
- Try not to touch or scratch the rash to prevent spreading the virus to others.
Visit the American Academy for Dermatology’s (AAD) information sheet for tips on taking care of your skin.
Treatment for Pain and Itching
- Medicines such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help reduce pain, swelling, and fever. It is important to follow the recommended dosage and interval for each medicine.
- Advil and Motrin are brand names for ibuprofen.
- Tylenol is the brand name for acetaminophen.
- Antihistamines (such as Benadryl), calamine lotion, petroleum jelly, and cooling lotions can provide temporary itch relief.
- Warm oatmeal baths or sitz bath can reduce itching and pain.
- Dibucaine ointment or lidocaine gel may also provide temporary relief. These are for external use only.
- Take docusate (such as Colace), a stool softener, to reduce pain when you go to the bathroom.
Treatment for Mouth Sores
- Rinse your mouth with clean salt water at least four times per day to keep mouth sores clean. You can also use a mouthwash with no alcohol (such as Listerine Zero Alcohol).
- Suck on ice chips or ice pops and drink water to stay hydrated.
- Use patches that cover the sores and benzocaine gels to reduce mouth pain.
What do I do if I need medical treatment?
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about treatment for mpox. Healthcare providers may not have these treatments on site, but they can work with VDH to provide them to patients.
TPOXX
Antivirals, such as Tecovirimat (TPOXX), may help treat severe mpox disease.
Your provider might prescribe TPOXX for you if:
- You have a weakened immune system
- You are more likely to get severe symptoms of mpox
- You have severe mpox symptoms like:
- Bleeding or infected sores or rash
- Lesions that have turned into larger lesions
- Any condition that requires hospitalization
There is no cost to receive TPOXX.
STOMP TRIAL
If your healthcare provider prescribes TPOXX for you, they might ask you to take part in a clinical study of TPOXX called the STOMP Trial. Study of Tecovirimat for Human Monkeypox Virus (STOMP) is trying to find out how well TPOXX works to treat mpox symptoms. Patients can enroll in STOMP even if they do not have severe mpox or are at risk of severe mpox. Some research sites offer remote options. The trial provides compensation for time and travel. More information about the trial can be found at STOMP (stomptpoxx.org)
You do not need to join the study to receive TPOXX treatment.
What to Know about Mpox (VDH)*
People with Mpox Information Sheet (VDH)*
*Available in additional languages. View all communication resources in additional languages.
How can I treat symptoms at home?
The following list provides ways to take care of yourself and help reduce symptoms using medicines and remedies that do not require a prescription. Ask your provider or pharmacist for assistance choosing over-the-counter medicines. Read and closely follow any instructions on the medicine box and package insert, including about dose, frequency of use, who should not take or use the medicine, and allergies.
General Treatment
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other fluids, especially if you have diarrhea.
- Keep rash and sores clean and dry when not showering or bathing to prevent the sores from becoming infected.
- Try not to touch or scratch the rash to prevent spreading the virus to others.
- The American Academy for Dermatology offers information about caring for the skin and lesions.
Treatment for Pain and Itching
- Medicines such as ibuprofen (such as Advil and Motrin), naproxen (such as Aleve) and acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can help reduce pain, swelling, and fever. It is important to keep to the recommended dosage and interval per medicine.
- Antihistamines (such as Benadryl), calamine lotion, petroleum jelly, and cooling lotions (such as menthol and camphor lotions) can provide temporary itch relief.
- Warm oatmeal baths or sitz bath can reduce itching and pain.
- Dibucaine ointment, often used for hemorrhoids, or lidocaine gel may also provide temporary relief. These are for external use only.
- Take docusate (such as Colace), a stool softener, to reduce pain when you go to the bathroom.
Treatment for Mouth Sores
- Rinse your mouth with clean salt water at least four times per day to keep mouth sores clean; a mouthwash with no alcohol (such as Listerine Zero Alcohol) can also be used.
- Suck on ice chips or ice pops and drink water to stay hydrated.
- Consider using patches (such as Dentemp Canker Cover) that cover the sores and benzocaine gels to reduce mouth pain, especially to help you eat and drink.
Last updated: January 25, 2024
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