Mpox (previously known as Monkey pox) is a condition that is caused by infection with mpox virus.
It is usually a mild self-limiting illness, and most people recover within a few weeks.
The infection can be passed on through close contact, including sex with someone with the infection or contact with clothing or linens used by a person who has mpox.
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Symptoms
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills and exhaustion
A rash can develop, often first appearing in the area that has been most exposed to the infection, and then spreads to other parts of the body including the face, genitals and rectal area. The rash changes and goes through different stages. It can look like chickenpox or syphilis, before finally forming a scab which later falls off.
An individual is infectious until all the scabs have fallen off and there is intact skin underneath.
Risks of exposure:
The risk of catching mpox in the UK is low for most people.
Mpox can be passed on from person to person through:
- any close physical contact with mpox blisters or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or other skin-to-skin contact)
- touching things or surfaces used by someone with mpox, such as clothing, bedding or towels
- the coughs or sneezes of a person with mpox when they’re close to you
Mpox has not been found in animals in the UK, but you can also catch it from infected animals (usually rodents such as rats, mice and squirrels) if:
- you’re bitten
- you touch their fur, skin, blood, body fluids, spots, blisters or scabs
- you eat their meat and it has not been cooked thoroughly
Information:
Check the risks of a country you’re travelling to on the TravelHealthPro website
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Testing
If you think you have been at risk of exposure to mpox and have unusual rashes or lesions on any part of your body, especially your genitalia, you should contact your local GUM clinic without delay. Phone first ahead of a visit to a healthcare facility.
Most recent cases in England and Europe have been in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, so if this applies to you, be alert to the symptoms and seek help if concerned.
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Treatment
Mpox is usually mild, and most people recover within a few weeks without treatment.
But if your symptoms are more severe and you become unwell, you may need treatment in hospital.
The risk of needing treatment in hospital is higher for:
- Older people
- Young children
- People with a condition
- People who are taking a medicine that affects their immune system
Because the infection can be passed on through close contact, it’s important to isolate yourself if you’re diagnosed with it.
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Vaccination
The vaccine is recommended to people at higher risk of being exposed to mpox.
This includes:
- gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and some trans and non-binary people who have multiple partners, have group sex, attend sex on premises venues or have had an STI in the past year, for example chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis;
- staff working in sex on premises venues;
- some healthcare workers in high risk settings where they may care for a patient with mpox.
A single dose of vaccine should be offered as soon as possible. A second dose may be offered at least 28 days after the first dose for those at risk of ongoing mpox exposure.
Where you can get the vaccine
Gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men, as well as trans and non-binary people at higher risk, can get the vaccine through sexual health clinic (GUM clinic).
Healthcare workers at higher risk will be offered the vaccine by their employer.
Read about the vaccination programme.
Information on the smallpox vaccination to protect against mpox is available at the links below: