OH-Blog Logo
Sign with "Closed Monkeypox Outbreak" on it
OHIOHEALTH

Monkeypox: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery

Joe Gastaldo, MD, System Medical Director for Infectious Disease, explains the current strain of monkeypox in the news, how long symptoms last, and how to treat the infection. 

The strain of monkeypox we see in the news has a case fatality rate of only about 1%. Most people can expect to get better within two to four weeks. 

The most important thing patients need is supportive care. Patients can develop significant skin lesions which can be painful and uncomfortable. If the patient’s skin lesions are extensive, they may need IV fluids. The most important thing to look out for is a secondary bacterial infection.

There is no FDA approved medication for monkeypox, though there is a vaccine. There are off-label medications for certain situations.

related articles

TOP