Here's Everything You Need to Know about Mpox

You might remember back in 2022, when people around the world, including in the U.S., were diagnosed with infections from mpox, previously called monkeypox. Mpox is back in the news this year, so here’s what you need to know: 

What is mpox?

Mpox is a virus that can transmit from person to person and from animals to people. It’s not a new virus (like COVID was in 2019), but it has generally been diagnosed in limited areas of the world. Researchers are not sure yet what caused the virus to be transmitted and create outbreaks around the globe in 2022 or what’s causing the new outbreak this year. However, they do know that vaccination and changes people made to decrease their risk of getting mpox helped to stop the transmission.

What’s new in 2024?

There are two subtypes of mpox, called clade I mpox and clade II mpox. The mpox outbreak in 2022 that was transmitted in the U.S. was caused by clade II mpox. The current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and several neighboring countries in central Africa, including Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda, is caused by clade I mpox. So far, it hasn’t been transmitted into the U.S. and the CDC doesn’t expect it to anytime soon.

How do you get mpox?

There are a few main ways that we know of that mpox can pass from person to person. The first way is if someone touches the blisters of a person with mpox or touches surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by animals with the mpox virus, such as clothing, bedding, or towels. It can also be passed through respiratory fluids from close face-to-face contact, like through heavy breathing during sex, or during kissing, cuddling, or close conversations. 

Someone with mpox can pass the virus to other people from the time they first experience symptoms until the blisters are completely healed, which could take several weeks.

How do I know if I have mpox?

Symptoms from both subtypes of mpox are similar, but clade I mpox infections, which are responsible for the current outbreak, are more contagious and cause more serious infections than clade II mpox. They usually start between three days and three weeks after exposure to the virus. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, body aches, and chills, as well as cough, sore throat, and congestion.

The initial flu-like symptoms are usually followed one to four days later by a rash, although some people have developed a rash without having a fever or other symptoms first. The mpox rash is most likely to be on your face, arms, and legs, including the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, but it can be one other parts of your body, including your genitals (if you ever have blisters on your genitals, make an appointment to talk to a provider at your nearest The Right Time health center). Over the course of five to seven days, the rash progresses from small bumps to larger blisters filled with yellow fluid before crusting over, drying out, and being replaced by new skin.

Is mpox a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?

It’s not yet known whether mpox is transmitted through semen, vaginal fluids, or blood. However, it is transmitted through close physical contact, which is often involved in sex. So mpox is definitely passing between sexual partners, but what isn’t clear is if it’s just from close contact, or if semen or vaginal fluids are also contributing to passing mpox.

Anyone who is exposed to the virus can get mpox, regardless of their age, what kind of sex they have, who they have sex with, or what their gender identity is.

What can I do to prevent mpox?

The good news is that we already have a vaccine available for mpox. But until we know more about how mpox is passed (or not) during sex, the recommendation is to use condoms or internal condoms if you have sex with someone who has had mpox for eight to 12 weeks after the infection. We know that’s a big range, but scientists haven’t been able to narrow it down yet.

What should I do if I think I have mpox?

Contact a health care provider and ask if they can test you for mpox. Most health departments can now test for mpox, but you’ll need to see a health care provider to get tested – and use condoms or internal condoms until you can get tested.