Most people with mpox develop a rash or other skin change. These are known as ‘lesions’ and may be spots, bumps, blisters or sores.

Symptoms include:

• skin lesions — including any around your face, hands, feet, mouth or throat, genitals or anus
• pain, bleeding or discomfort in your anus.

Some people also experience flu-like symptoms early on, including:

• swollen lymph nodes
• fever
• muscle aches

The lesions can be painful or itchy and take a few weeks to cure.

The time from exposure to the mpox virus to showing symptoms is generally between 7 and 14 days. In some people, symptoms can start even five days after exposure; in others, as late as 21 days later. Mpox symptoms usually go away on their own within 2 to 4 weeks.

The information on our page relates to mpox cases spread via sexual contact. Mpox isn’t technically an STI; thus, it’s not the only way it spreads. Since it has recently caused a worldwide outbreak among men who have sex with men, we included it on the website.

Mpox is usually transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, but it can also happen through contact with skin lesions or rashes and through bodily fluids such as saliva transfer.

People who had close contact with those diagnosed with mpox (e.g., householders, healthcare workers, sexual partners) can also get infected with mpox and should take precautions to avoid infection if they are in contact with someone with mpox.

Sheets, towels, clothing, or sex toys can also carry the virus. Therefore, it’s recommended to clean them thoroughly and not share them with people with mpox. There have also been some rare cases where mpox has been transmitted through respiratory droplets.

Mpox testing

Mpox may be difficult to identify as it has symptoms familiar with more widespread illnesses such as the flu; it may also resemble syphilis symptoms. If you have symptoms indicating mpox and have recently had intimate contact with gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men the symptoms mentioned above or someone you had contact with has informed you that he has been detected with mpox, the best way to know for sure is to get tested.

• Testing for mpox is free in most countries for those displaying the symptoms.
• A sample or samples will be taken from different lesions. You may be asked to accept the top of a lesion to collect fluid. You may also be asked to do a rectal, throat swab, or blood test. These procedures usually don’t hurt or may be uncomfortable for a moment or two.
• The sample swabs are then sent to a lab, where they’re tested. You will be asked to isolate, including refraining from sexual or intimate activities until your results come back. Suspected mpox tests are given priority, so you should find out your result in a short period.
• It’s essential to get tested so that, if you have contracted mpox, you can receive the correct care and support.

Mpox treatment

There is no specific treatment approved for mpox. Treatment for most people with mpox focuses on relieving symptoms.

The following tips may help with symptoms:

• Take paracetamol to help treat pain and fever.
• Take an antihistamine if the lesions are very itchy.
• Keep any lesions clean by washing your skin with soap and warm water to reduce the chance of infection.
• If an area is red and sore, swollen and hot or shiny – it may indicate the infection, and you may feel very unwell. In such a situation, it is necessary to contact your healthcare provider.

Since smallpox and mpox viruses are very similar, for the preventive vaccination against mpox, the one developed against smallpox is mainly used. It’s free in most countries and can be prescribed by health providers such as home doctors and sexual health or infectious disease professionals.

WHO recommends the vaccination for people at high risk to get vaccinated to prevent infection with mpox, especially during an outbreak. This includes:

• health workers at risk of exposure
• men who have sex with men
• people with multiple sex partners
• sex workers.

If you live with HIV

When you have mpox, it may put your HIV-negative partners at a higher probability of getting HIV from you. This is because mpox often manifests with skin lesions such as ulcers, sores, inflammation or broken skin, and anal bleeding may also occur; they may allow HIV to leave your body and expose your partner more easily.

If your viral load stays undetectable and your CD4 count remains average, you don’t have to worry – there is no risk of sexually transmitting HIV to HIV-negative partners, even if you have mpox. But of course, you may pass mpox from you to your sexual partner. If you are immunosuppressed, mpox infection may be more severe in you. Therefore, it’s recommended to get vaccinated.

If you don’t live with HIV

If you have mpox, you are more likely to get HIV than someone mpox-free. This is because of the same types of behaviour and conditions that may put you at risk of getting exposed to HIV. The presence of mpox manifestations such as skin lesions (ulcers, sores, inflammation or broken skin) and anal bleeding caused by mpox may allow HIV to enter your body more easily.