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About Mpox
On this page:
Symptoms
How it spreads
Prevention
Vaccine
Testing
Treatment
Materials
More about mpox
Prior to 2022, mpox was spread mostly through contact with certain animals. During the 2022 outbreak we saw mpox mostly spread through close physical contact between people. Some populations were affected more than others, including gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who had recent contact with a new partner or partners. However, anyone can get mpox, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Symptoms
Mpox symptoms often include a rash that can look like pimples or blisters. The rash can appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
Other symptoms of mpox can include:
- Fever or chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Body aches (including muscle and back)
Some people do not have symptoms before a rash. The rash begins as a flat rash, then progresses to raised bumps which become filled with fluid (poxes). Eventually the rash crusts over and scabs develop. Some people may have only one sore, bump, or blister. This may look different from pictures you see online.
A person is infectious from symptom onset until scabs fall off and a fresh layer of healthy skin has formed. The illness can last for about 2-4 weeks. Most people do not have serious complications from mpox but will need to stay home until they are no longer infectious.
How it spreads
Mpox is spread through direct and indirect contact with the virus.
- Human-to-human transmission:
- Prolonged direct contact with body fluids or skin lesions (i.e., skin to skin contact) is the most common mode of human-to-human transmission.
- Transmission via respiratory particles can also occur but usually requires prolonged face-to-face contact.
- Clothing, bedding, and other objects:
- Transmission can occur from contact with contaminated clothing/bedding/towels or other objects used by a person with mpox.
- Animal-to-human transmission:
- Animal-to-human transmission may occur through a bite or scratch, preparation of wild game, and direct or indirect contact with body fluids or rash material (not a mode of transmission in the U.S.).
Symptoms develop approximately 12 days after a person has been exposed but may be as early as 5 days and as late as 21 days.
Prevention
Take the following steps to prevent or decrease your risk for getting mpox:
- Avoid close, prolonged skin-to-skin contact, and sex (oral, anal, vaginal) with people whose infection status is unknown or with a history of recent travel to areas that are part of the current mpox outbreak.
- Avoid close contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.
- Do not handle or share the bedding, towels, or clothing used by a person with mpox.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Visit Lower Your Risk for Mpox for more information about steps you can take to reduce your risks for getting mpox.
Vaccine
Two vaccines are currently authorized or approved in the U.S. to prevent mpox, JYNNEOS and ACAM2000. JYNNEOS is currently being used internationally to address mpox. If you are at risk and would like to get vaccinated, start by contacting your primary provider. Learn more about who is at risk at Mpox Vaccine in Minnesota.
If you do not have a provider or your provider does not have vaccine, visit CDC: Mpox Vaccination Basics to search the Mpox Vaccine Locator tool to find a vaccine provider.
Make sure you are up to date with your mpox vaccination. It is possible to get mpox even after getting vaccinated, but getting both doses of the vaccine makes getting and spreading mpox less likely. The vaccine may also help make symptoms less severe and easier to manage, and may help protect you against severe infection, hospitalization, and death. For more information visit CDC: Mpox Infections after Vaccination.
Testing
If you have a new rash, sore, pimple-like bump, or blister, get tested. Only people who have a rash can get tested for mpox. You may be asked questions about sexual activity/behaviors by your provider. You do not have to answer these questions, but the questions help the provider to determine if testing for mpox is necessary. The mpox rash may look like sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis or herpes. You may consider STI testing as well.
Consult with a health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, consider one of the following free or low-cost testing sites:
- Red Door Clinic/ Hennepin County Public Health
612-543-5555
525 Portland Avenue South, Minneapolis MN - Clinic 555 / Ramsey County Public Health
651-266-1352
555 Cedar Street, St. Paul MN - Directory of Family Planning Services
Listing of publicly funded programs throughout Minnesota. - Health Centers
Information about Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), including a link to search for a health center.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for mpox, although treatment with an antiviral, Tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems. In certain situations, people who have been exposed to someone with mpox may benefit from receiving a mpox vaccine.
Materials
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Protect Yourself From Mpox(PDF) Protéjase De La Viruela Símica O Del Mono (PDF) |
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Mpox (one palm card) (PDF) Double-sided, print size is 4.25 x 5.5 inches, card can be cut to 3.25 x 4.625 inches Four double-sided cards on letter size paper |
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Who Can Get the Mpox Vaccine? (one palm card) (PDF) Double-sided, print size is 4.25 x 5.5 inches, card can be cut to 3.25 x 4.625 inches Who Can Get the Mpox Vaccine? (four palm cards) (PDF) Four double-sided cards on letter size paper |
MCN: New Low-Literacy Mpox Resource, in English & Spanish
Migrant Clinicians Network simple resource in English and Spanish that helps explain the spread of mpox, as well as identifying symptoms and isolation strategies for those who may be infected.
About Mpox ASL Video