Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. Mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Mpox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and mpox is rarely fatal.

The risk level to the general public remains low.

People more likely to get mpox include:

• People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with mpox
• People who are aware that one of their sexual partners in the past two weeks has been diagnosed with mpox
• People who had multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks in an area with known mpox
• People whose jobs may expose them to orthopoxviruses, such as:

• Laboratory workers who perform testing for orthopoxviruses
• Laboratory workers who handle cultures or animals with orthopoxviruses
• Some designated healthcare or public health workers

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.
  • The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.

• See a healthcare provider if you notice a new or unexplained rash or other mpox symptoms.
• Remind the healthcare provider that mpox is circulating.
• Avoid close contact (including intimate physical contact) with others until a healthcare provider examines you.
• Avoid close contact with pets or other animals until a healthcare provider examines you.
• If you’re waiting for test results, follow the same precautions.
• If your test is positive, stay isolated until your rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.
•  Remain isolated if you have a fever, sore throat, nasal congestion or cough. Only go out to see a healthcare provider or for an emergency. Avoid public transportation.
• If you must leave isolation, cover the rash and wear a well-fitting mask.

Mpox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person-to-person through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. It also can be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex. In addition, pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.

Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids is another way mpox spreads. It’s also possible for people to get mpox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by eating meat or using products from an infected animal.

People who do not have mpox symptoms cannot spread the virus to others.

Mpox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

Even though it is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, mpox can spread during intimate physical contact between people.  This contact can happen when you have sex, including:

• Oral, anal, and vaginal sex, or touching the genitals or anus of a person with mpox
• Hugging, massage, kissing or talking closely
• Touching fabrics, shared surfaces, and objects, such as bedding, towels and sex toys, that were used by a person with mpox

Anyone can get mpox if they have close contact with someone who has the virus.

CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to mpox and people who may be more likely to get mpox, including:

• People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with mpox
• People who know one of their sexual partners in the past two weeks has been diagnosed with mpox
• People who had multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks in an area with known mpox

Currently there is no specific treatment approved for mpox virus infections.