MPOX 101: EpiC Philippines Tells All You Need to Know

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 [...]