MPOX: What We Know

As with any infection, your body and immune system are in overdrive working to overcome it.  

Don’t forget the basics: 

• • Rest and stay hydrated.
  • Take your regular medications at the usual time unless advised otherwise   .
  • Wash your hands frequently and especially after caring for lesions.   

This might be the most uncomfortable part of your day. You’ll be advised to keep lesions covered and told that when the lesions clear up, you are considered recovered from MPOX, meaning no more isolation.  

To promote healing and prevent scarring:   

• • Apply Vaseline on the lesion and cover it as soon as it appears (when small like a zit) – other topical creams may reduce pain but be sure to consult with a healthcare provider first.
  • Keep covered with a bandage to promote fast healing – guys with MPOX are sharing tips and tricks on the best dressings to use. 
  • Avoid scratching or picking the lesions.
  • Be aware of fabrics touching your skin.

Many people with MPOX have uncomfortable symptoms like swollen lymph nodes (especially in the groin area), fever, and feeling unwell.  

• • For pain when taking a shit, using stool softeners might be helpful, mainly because the inside of your rectum will be swollen. This is called proctitis.
  • If you experience significant bleeding or bleeding that won’t stop from any part of your body, call your doctor or visit your local emergency department.   

Unfortunately, because this current outbreak is new and the way it’s getting passed along isn’t typical, it’s hard to find solid medical guidance on caring for yourself. But gay men have a history of taking care of ourselves and each other, and many gay physicians and guys with MPOX have been sharing what works for them.  

Some of the more common suggestions include: 

• • Sitz baths can provide comfort from lesion pain – especially for your butt and genitals.
  • Salt gargle for lesions in your mouth.
  • Topical steroids.
  • OTC pain meds like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) for aches and pains.
  • Gabapentin (a medication used to treat pain from shingles) and opioids, if the pain is really bad. These would need to be prescribed by a doctor. 

A diagnosis of MPOX means isolating at home for an extended period (sometimes as long as a month), avoiding close contact with family and roommates if living together, any pets, avoiding sexual contact, and missing work or school, unless you can do it from home. Remember the COVID-19 lockdowns—think about what helped you get through that period. Zoom rooms, movie watching days, catching up on a good book. Do things that make you feel good and lean on the people in your life as much as you can.  

Guys have taken it upon themselves to host supportive spaces for people with MPOX – these are not always formal like therapy but offer a chance to share experiences and hear from others. 

There’s not a ton of support available for people, especially financial support to make up for any lost income due to isolation. When diagnosed, be sure to ask the clinic staff or public health professionals about any help they can provide. Sometimes this includes things like grocery cards to get food delivered to you.  

In Ontario, we are aware of the following:  

• • Ontario Works helps people who are in temporary financial need. It includes Emergency Assistance for Ontarians who are in a crisis or facing an unexpected emergency and are unable to meet basic living expenses. 
  • Emergency Assistance may be provided for 48 days. A complete application for income assistance is required to continue assistance beyond 48 days.  
  • Eligible individuals may receive approximately $733 a month if they are a single person and need help paying for food and shelter. They may receive more if they have children.  
  • People can apply for emergency assistance either in person at a local Ontario Works office, OR they can apply online.  
  • Ontario Works Administrators determine eligibility for emergency assistance based on an assessment of the applicant’s ability to access other resources and meet their basic living expenses and the danger to health or risk that a child would be unable to continue living with the family if assistance is not issued. 
  • People already receiving Ontario Works or ODSP are not eligible for emergency assistance. Tourists and visitors are also not eligible.