Mpox is a disease spread by close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact. Learn about the symptoms, how to prevent it, and how the mpox vaccine can help you care for yourself, your partners, and your community. Find a vaccine site near you.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. People with mpox can develop a painful rash, fever and swollen lymph nodes. The rash usually heals after a few weeks.
Mpox is spread in a few ways. The most common way is through close personal, skin-to-skin contact, which can include:
Most often, this close contact can happen when you’re having sex—including foreplay—with someone who has mpox, including:
Other less common ways that mpox can be spread include pregnancy and birth.
Mpox can occur at the same time as other infections, including another rash illness such as herpes or syphilis.
People with mpox often get a rash that looks like pimples or blisters and can be painful or itchy. It can appear on your face, mouth, hands, feet, chest, genitals, and/or anus or rectum. Some people also have flu-like symptoms, either before or after the rash. Most symptoms start within three weeks (but typically within one to two weeks) of being exposed to the virus.
Flu-like symptoms can include:
If you have mpox, you may experience all or only a few symptoms. Some people may only experience a rash.
If you have any symptoms of STIs or HIV that include a rash or skin lesion, it’s a good idea to get tested. Getting tested regularly for STIs and HIV is a good way to stay on top of your sexual health.
If you’ve been in close contact with someone who has the virus, you should see a health care provider. If you have a rash that could be mpox, your provider may recommend you get tested.
You could have a higher risk of getting mpox if you:
Because it’s spread through close contact, your risk for mpox goes up the more sexual partners you have.
A provider will take a swab from your rash, with results usually available within a few days. While you’re waiting for your results, make sure to isolate yourself from others to prevent spreading mpox. Remember to ask for testing for STIs and HIV if you’re not sure of your status.
Most people who get mpox don’t get severely sick and usually recover within two to four weeks without any treatment.
If you have a severe disease or weakened immune system, treatment may be recommended. Health care providers may recommend antiviral medications in rare cases.
It’s important to take care of yourself while you recover from mpox:
The good news is that there is a vaccine to prevent mpox that will help you stay protected.
The vaccine is called Jynneos®. It’s a two-dose vaccine, and you need to get both doses to get the best protection. The second dose should be given four weeks after the first dose. Your protection is highest two weeks after your second dose. If you have received only one dose of the mpox vaccine and it has been longer than 28 days, you should receive your second dose as soon as possible. If you have received two doses of the mpox vaccine, no further vaccination is needed.
The vaccine has been proven to be very effective. People who have been vaccinated can still get mpox, but the illness is usually less severe. Still, even after you’ve been vaccinated, you should continue to avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has an active mpox infection.
The vaccine is available at clinics across Massachusetts. Find an mpox vaccine site near you.
Additional ways to protect yourself include:
Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your community:
Find low- to no-cost sexual health services near you, like PrEP, STI testing, and more on the Service Locator Map.
PrEP is a medication that helps prevent HIV. Take a short quiz to find out if it may be right for you.