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Mpox
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Infections

Mpox

Mpox is a viral disease related to smallpox that spreads primarily through close contact and can cause a range of symptoms, including a characteristic rash.

What is mpox?

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. This virus is in the same family of viruses as the smallpox virus. While it can spread between animals and people, it is mainly transmitted through close contact with someone who has the virus.

Types of Monkeypox Viruses

There are two types of monkeypox viruses:

  • Clade I: Regularly found in Central and Eastern Africa. It causes more severe illness and deaths than Clade II.
  • Clade II: Regularly found in West Africa. Infections from Clade II are less severe, and most people survive. This type is the cause of the global mpox outbreak that peaked in 2022.

How Mpox Spreads

Mpox spreads in several ways:

  • Close, personal contact: Direct contact with rashes, scabs, or body fluids; breathing in the virus during prolonged face-to-face contact; or intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling, hugging, massage, or sex.
  • Pregnancy: From the mother to the fetus.
  • Contaminated items: Touching items such as clothes, bedding, or towels used by someone with the virus.
  • Infected animals: Being scratched or bitten by an animal, or preparing/eating meat or using products from an infected animal.

A person can spread the virus from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed (usually 2–4 weeks). Some people may spread the virus 1–4 days before symptoms appear.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure and may include:

  • A rash with sores that can look like pimples or blisters, appearing on the face, mouth, hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
  • Fever and chills.
  • Swollen lymph nodes.
  • Exhaustion and headache.
  • Muscle aches and backache.
  • Respiratory symptoms, such as a sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough.

Diagnosis

Health care providers diagnose mpox by reviewing symptoms and medical history, examining the rash, and taking a tissue sample from a sore for testing. Blood tests may also be used to check for the virus or antibodies.

Treatment and Management

There are no treatments specifically for mpox, but many people recover on their own. Antiviral medicines used for smallpox may be recommended for individuals with severe illness or those at risk of severe disease, such as people with compromised immune systems, pregnant individuals, children under age 1, or those with certain active skin conditions. Patients should stay home and isolate in a separate room until the rash has healed.

Prevention

The JYNNEOS vaccine is available to help prevent mpox and is recommended for those at high risk of exposure. Other preventative steps include:

  • Avoiding close, skin-to-skin contact with the mpox rash.
  • Avoiding contact with items used by someone with mpox, such as bedding, towels, or eating utensils.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting the home if someone is sick.
  • Washing hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions

The rash usually progresses through several stages, starting with flat spots that become raised, fluid-filled blisters, and eventually scabs. The entire process from the first appearance of the rash to full healing typically takes two to four weeks. You are considered contagious until all scabs have fallen off and a new layer of healthy skin has formed underneath. It is critical to keep the rash covered and avoid close contact with others until this final stage of healing is complete.
If you live with an infected person, you should avoid all close physical contact, including kissing, hugging, and sexual activity. You must not share personal items such as towels, bedding, clothing, or utensils. When cleaning shared spaces, wear disposable gloves and a mask, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after. Ensure that laundry from the infected person is washed in hot water and dried on high heat, and do not shake the linens before washing to prevent the virus from becoming airborne.
Yes, the mpox vaccine can still provide protection after exposure, but timing is critical. It is most effective when administered within four days of exposure, as it may prevent the illness from developing. If given between four and fourteen days after exposure, the vaccine may not prevent infection but can significantly reduce the severity of the symptoms. Consult a healthcare provider immediately after a known exposure to determine if post-exposure prophylaxis is appropriate for you.
Yes, it is possible to spread the virus one to four days before symptoms appear. Additionally, some individuals may experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes before the rash develops. Because transmission can occur during this pre-rash phase, anyone who has had close contact with a confirmed case should monitor for symptoms and limit close physical contact with others until they are certain they do not have the virus.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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