Most people with mpox recover at home without hospital care, but the illness takes 2 to 4 weeks to fully resolve. During that time, you’re managing pain, caring for skin lesions, preventing the virus from spreading to others in your household, and watching for signs that something more serious is developing. Here’s how to handle each of those effectively.
How Long You’ll Need to Isolate
You’re contagious from the moment early symptoms appear (fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes) until every last scab has fallen off and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed underneath. That process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. During this entire stretch, the CDC recommends staying isolated at home. Friends, family, or anyone without an essential reason to be there should not visit.
If you live with other people, use a separate bathroom when possible. If you share one, disinfect the toilet seat, faucet handles, and countertops after every use. Wear a well-fitting medical mask whenever you’re within about six feet of someone else for more than a brief moment. Your housemates should wear a mask or respirator around you too. Don’t share bed linens, towels, washcloths, drinking glasses, or utensils.
Managing Pain and Fever
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) both work for the fever and general body aches that come with mpox. These are your first-line options, and for most people they’re sufficient. If your pain becomes severe, particularly rectal pain from lesions in that area, contact your healthcare provider. Stronger prescription pain relief may be appropriate in those cases.
Caring for Skin Lesions
The rash is the most uncomfortable part of mpox for many people, and good wound care makes a real difference in how you feel day to day. Cover lesions with loose bandages or clothing (long sleeves, long pants) as much as possible. This protects the sores, limits viral shedding onto surfaces, and reduces the temptation to scratch.
For itch and irritation, apply a dab of calamine lotion with a cotton pad under the bandage, as long as the wound isn’t open. Warm baths with Epsom salt, colloidal oatmeal, or baking soda can be very soothing. If your lesions are concentrated around the rectal area, a sitz bath (a shallow basin that fits over the toilet) is a more practical alternative to a full bath and can be found at most pharmacies.
Do not shave any area of the body where the rash is present, as this can spread the virus to new skin. If you have lesions on your hands, wear disposable gloves when cleaning or handling shared items.
Protecting Your Eyes
The mpox virus can cause serious eye infections if it reaches your eyes, potentially threatening your vision. Wash your hands frequently and make a conscious effort not to touch or rub your eyes. If you normally wear contact lenses, switch to glasses for the duration of your illness. Handling contacts creates repeated opportunities to transfer the virus from your fingers to your eyes.
If you develop any lesions on or near your eyelids, or notice eye pain, redness, or changes in your vision, contact your healthcare provider right away. Eye involvement is one of the situations where prescription treatment is available.
Caring for Mouth Sores
Some people develop painful lesions inside the mouth, which can make eating and drinking difficult. Rinse with warm saltwater at least four times a day to keep the sores clean and reduce discomfort. An antiseptic mouthwash containing chlorhexidine is another option for maintaining oral hygiene around the lesions.
The bigger concern with mouth sores is dehydration and poor nutrition. When swallowing hurts, it’s easy to stop eating and drinking enough. Focus on soft, bland foods and cool or room-temperature liquids. Staying well-hydrated is one of the most important things you can do while your body fights the infection.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home
The mpox virus can survive on surfaces, especially on fabrics and porous materials that have come into contact with your rash. Routinely clean countertops, light switches, faucet handles, and other frequently touched hard surfaces with an EPA-registered disinfectant from “List Q” (the EPA’s list for emerging viral pathogens). Many common household disinfectant sprays and wipes qualify. Check the product label to confirm it’s on List Q, and follow the directions for how long the surface needs to stay wet.
For soft furnishings like couches and mattresses that can’t be thrown in the wash, lay down coversheets, waterproof mattress protectors, blankets, or tarps. These barriers can be removed and laundered. When you do laundry, a standard washing machine with regular detergent is sufficient. Laundry sanitizers are fine to use but not strictly necessary. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling dirty linens or any material that may have touched your rash.
Keep Pets Away
The mpox virus can potentially spread from humans to animals. While you’re symptomatic, avoid close contact with pets in your home. Don’t let them into your sleeping area, and don’t pet, cuddle, or share a bed with them. If possible, have another household member take over pet care until your isolation period ends.
Who Qualifies for Antiviral Treatment
There is an antiviral medication (tecovirimat, brand name TPOXX) available through the CDC for certain patients, but it isn’t prescribed to everyone with mpox. You may be eligible if you fall into specific higher-risk categories: people with weakened immune systems (including those with HIV and low CD4 counts, organ transplant recipients, or people on immunosuppressive therapies), people with active skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis that raise the risk of widespread infection, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, and children under 18. It’s also available for anyone whose mpox has become severe, including cases with widespread lesions covering 25% or more of the body, lesions affecting the eyes, or complications involving the heart or nervous system.
If you think you might qualify, bring it up with your healthcare provider. The medication is accessed through a special CDC protocol, so your doctor would need to initiate that process.
Warning Signs That Need Medical Attention
Most mpox cases resolve on their own, but certain developments signal that the infection is becoming more serious. Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience any of the following:
- Worsening or spreading lesions: lesions increasing in number, becoming necrotic (darkened, dying tissue), or spreading rapidly
- Persistent fever that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication
- Nausea, vomiting, or inability to eat or drink
- Vision changes or eye pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or confusion
These can indicate complications like secondary bacterial infection, dehydration, or involvement of the eyes, lungs, or nervous system, all of which may require treatment beyond what you can manage at home.