Mpox

Updated 10/28/24 at 12:00 PM.

What is mpox? 

Mpox is a rare disease spread by the mpox virus. Those infected by the mpox virus usually have a new, unexplained rash and skin lesions. Since May 2022, mpox has been spreading from person to person in countries where the virus is usually not found, including the United States.

How it spreads 

Mpox can spread through close contact with someone who has mpox. Mpox spreads most easily during direct skin-to-skin contact, including any kind of sex or intimacy. The disease can also spread through using or touching items that have been contaminated with the mpox virus (like clothing or linens). 

Anyone can develop and spread mpox after being exposed to the virus. Based on the current outbreak, certain populations are being affected by mpox more than others. Data from CDC shows that the virus is impacting some members of LGBTQ community, with a disproportionate impact among men who have sex with men, as well as transgender and nonbinary individuals.

Signs and symptoms 

One of the most common symptoms of mpox include a rash with round, hard, fluid or pus filled lesions on the skin or in the mouth (usually at the site of exposure). The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing. The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

Other symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Muscle aches
• Chills

Mpox prevention 

There are a couple ways that you can protect yourself from getting mpox:

Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.

This might include skin with what appears to be a rash, pimples, blisters, or scabs.

The rash might appear on the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, vagina) or anus and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with mpox. Do not kiss, hug, cuddle, or have sex with someone with mpox.

Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with mpox has used.

Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with mpox.

Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with mpox.

Wash your hands often.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect you, your family, and your friends from getting sick.

Get vaccinated.

The JYNNEOS vaccine is approved for prevention of smallpox and mpox. 
 

Vaccine basics 

JYNNEOS is a 2-dose vaccine developed to protect against mpox infections. People need to get both doses of the vaccine for the best protection against mpox. The second dose should be given 4 weeks after the first dose.

Vaccination is an important tool in stopping the spread of mpox. People who are vaccinated should continue to avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with someone who has mpox.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination against mpox if:

• You had known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox
• You had a sex partner in the past 2 weeks who was diagnosed with mpox
• You are a gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men or a transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse person who in the past 6 months has had any of the following:
  • A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
  • More than one sex partner
• You have had any of the following in the past 6 months:
  • Sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse)
  • Sex related to a large commercial event or in a geographic area (city or county for example) where mpox virus transmission is occurring
• You have a sex partner with any of the above risks
• You anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios
• You have HIV or other causes of immune suppression and have had recent or anticipate future risk of mpox exposure from any of the above scenarios
• You work in settings where you may be exposed to mpox:
  • You work with orthopoxviruses in a laboratory
  • You are part of an orthopoxvirus and health care worker response team