How should I manage a patient with confirmed Mpox, including isolation and treatment options?

Management of a patient with confirmed monkeypox involves strict isolation and supportive treatment, with antiviral options considered in severe cases.

Patients should be isolated in a single room with adequate ventilation to prevent transmission, ideally with contact and droplet precautions in place, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns, and masks for healthcare workers ¹. Isolation should continue until all lesions have crusted, scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed, which typically takes 2 to 4 weeks (Lepelletier et al., 2022).

In the community, patients should avoid close contact with others, especially vulnerable individuals, and maintain good hand hygiene to reduce spread ¹. Household contacts should be informed and monitored for symptoms, with advice on minimizing contact and sharing of personal items (Lepelletier et al., 2022).

Treatment is primarily supportive, focusing on symptom relief such as pain management, hydration, and treatment of secondary bacterial infections if they occur ¹. Antiviral agents like tecovirimat may be considered for patients with severe disease or those at high risk of complications, although their use is based on limited evidence and typically reserved for specialist settings (Lepelletier et al., 2022).

Vaccination with smallpox vaccines may be offered as post-exposure prophylaxis to close contacts within 4 days of exposure to reduce disease severity, following public health guidance ¹.

In summary, management requires strict isolation until lesion resolution, supportive care, consideration of antivirals in severe cases, and public health measures to prevent transmission.