Join three infectious disease experts from Stony Brook Medicine for a discussion about mpox (or monkeypox), its prevalence on Long Island and around the United States, and what you need to know about mpox prevention, signs and symptoms, treatments and more.
Mpox is a viral disease that’s closely related to the smallpox virus, but less severe. The most recent strain of mpox, called clade I, was recently reported in California, and clade II infections remain generally low, but sporadic in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises healthcare professionals and adults across the U.S. to remain vigilant for signs of mpox, especially if they’ve traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo or neighboring countries, or are considered at-risk of mpox transmission.
In this podcast, Stony Brook Medicine physicians explain how to stay safe from mpox with preventive measures, including behavior changes and getting vaccinated.
The Experts
Sharon Nachman, MD
Dr. Sharon Nachman is the Division Chief of Pediatric Infectious Disease at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. In this podcast, Dr. Nachman talks about the importance of education when facing viral outbreaks and providing community members with factual information about prevention, and recognizing the signs of mpox and other contagious infections. Dr. Nachman also discusses antiviral medications that are available for mpox-infected patients and clinical trials that study a medication called TPOXX (tecovirimat) and its efficacy for mpox infections.
Eric Lella, DO
Dr. Eric Lella is the Medical Director and Family Medicine Physician at the Edie Windsor Healthcare Center in Hampton Bays. In this podcast, Dr. Lella describes the human-to-human transmission of mpox and spread of the virus to countries outside of Central and West Africa, where it originated. Dr. Lella explains the signs and symptoms of mpox, which generally include small lesions that scab and contain infectious material. Mpox may also cause “prodrome” symptoms that occur early on and are flu-like. Additionally, Dr. Lella discusses the importance of public health outreach and changing behaviors in preventing mpox transmission and outbreaks. Dr. Lella also talks about getting the mpox vaccine at the Edie Windsor Healthcare Center and other nearby clinics.
Susan Donelan, MD
Dr. Susan Donelan is the Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Stony Brook Medicine. In this podcast, Dr. Donelan describes the origins of mpox; it’s found in nature, in animals of Central and West Africa. Transmission of mpox occurs sporadically, Dr. Dolelan explains, as humans interact with infected animals. “Sometimes the infection goes broader, but usually does not leave the country or surrounding countries,” she says. In 2022, however, this changed with international travel and a rise in cases from human-to-human transmission. Dr. Donelan offers tips on how to prevent mpox transmission and the importance of being vaccinated.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
- 00:00: Introduction
- 01:03: What’s leading to the latest mpox outbreak?
- 02:40: How to control mpox outbreaks and transmission
- 04:26: Signs of symptoms of mpox
- 06:50: How to protect your community from infection
- 09:55: Recognizing early symptoms of mpox
- 12:15: Understanding the mpox vaccine
- 15:10: Where to get the mpox vaccine
- 17:00: How is mpox treated?
- 18:10: Clinical trials for mpox medications
- 20:55: How to get tested for mpox
- 21:45: What happens when mpox lesions scar?
- 23:35: Advice for patients/families with mpox
- 25:38: Advice for immunocompromised patients
- 26:00: How at-risk people can protect themselves
- 29:10: Closing remarks
