What is mpox?
Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. Mpox can make you sick, including a rash or sores (pox), often with an earlier flu-like illness. Mpox is rarely fatal.
How does it spread?
Mpox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person-to-person through:
- direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
- respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
- touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
- pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta
Mpox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. People who do not have mpox symptoms cannot spread the virus to others.
What are the symptoms of mpox?
Symptoms of mpox can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash. The rash goes through different stages before healing completely, typically 2-4 weeks.
How can I prevent mpox?
Take the following three steps to prevent getting mpox:
Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.
- 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.
Vaccination is an important tool in preventing the spread of mpox. But given the current limited supply of vaccine, consider temporarily changing some behaviors that may increase your risk of being exposed. These temporary changes will help slow the spread of mpox until vaccine supply is adequate.
Learn more about what you can do from the CDC: Safer Sex, Social Gatherings, and mpox
If you think you may have been exposed, or if you have symptoms of mpox, avoid others (including pets) and contact your health care provider right away for evaluation and testing.