Mpox
Mpox is a virus in the orthopox family of viruses, which includes smallpox. Mpox can cause serious illness.
People with mpox often get a rash or bumps that may be located on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or near the genitals. They may also have flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, and exhaustion.
People with a new rash or bumps who think they may have been exposed should get tested for mpox, even if they have been vaccinated against mpox or have already had mpox. Treatment is available for people at higher risk or those with severe disease.
Mpox can be transmitted from person to person when someone who has mpox has close contact with someone else. Close contact can mean touching the sores, bumps, or lesions of someone who has mpox. Close contact includes sex. Brief interactions without physical contact are unlikely to result in getting the virus.
A vaccine called Jynneos can help prevent mpox. People who have recently been exposed to mpox or are at higher risk for exposure should get vaccinated.
What is mpox?
Mpox is a virus in the orthopoxvirus family, the same family of viruses that includes smallpox. There are two main types of mpox: clade I and clade II.
Clade II mpox is responsible for the global mpox outbreak, which began in 2022 and is ongoing. There have been clade II mpox cases reported in Colorado every year since 2022, although the number of new cases has been generally lower since the outbreak began. This type of mpox is endemic in Western Africa, and prior to 2022 almost all cases reported occurred in that region or had recent travel there. This type of mpox infection frequently resolves on its own and severe illness and death are rare in the U.S., but people with immunocompromising conditions are at increased risk.
The risk of clade I mpox to the general population in the U.S. remains very low. Clade I mpox is endemic in Central and Eastern Africa and is responsible for ongoing outbreaks in Central Africa. Several travel-associated cases have been detected without sustained transmission in other parts of the world, including the U.S., so it’s important to assess travel recommendations if you plan to travel to areas with clade I mpox cases.
Mpox symptoms
People with mpox often get a rash and may have other symptoms like fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms start within 21 days of exposure to the mpox virus and often start with flu-like symptoms and a rash that develops 1-4 days later.
The rash may be located on hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or near the genitals or in the rectum. The rash can look like pimples or blisters at first, and they may be painful or itchy. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
Other symptoms of mpox can include
- Fever
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Exhaustion
- Muscle aches and backache
- Headache
- Respiratory symptoms (e.g., sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
People with a new rash or bumps who think they may have been exposed should see a healthcare provider and get tested for mpox, even if they have been vaccinated against mpox or have already had mpox.
How does mpox spread?
Mpox is primarily spread person-to-person when someone who has mpox has close, physical contact with someone else. Close contact with mpox means:
- Direct physical contact with a sick person’s rash, bumps, or lesions.
- Contact with respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact (3 hours or more without face coverings).
- Intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling, or sexual contact.
- Touching bed linens, clothing, bandages, or other materials of someone who is sick, especially materials that came in contact with lesions.
Brief interactions with someone without physical contact are unlikely to result in spreading the virus. Direct physical contact (typically contact with lesions or lesion material) or prolonged close contact is how mpox spreads.
The rash associated with mpox goes through different stages before healing completely. An individual sick with mpox is considered contagious from the onset of their symptoms until their rash, bumps, or lesions have fully scabbed, healed, and new skin has formed. This typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
Prevention
A vaccine called Jynneos can prevent mpox. If you have had close contact with someone with mpox, or are at high risk for exposure, you should get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated lowers your chance of getting mpox if you are exposed to the virus and can reduce the severity of your symptoms if you do get sick later. People who already have symptoms of mpox, or are confirmed to have been infected with mpox, should not get vaccinated.
Additionally, take the following steps to prevent getting mpox:
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.
- Avoid direct contact with someone who may have mpox, including kissing, hugging, sex or intimate activities, and massage.
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with mpox.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with mpox.
If you have an active rash or other symptoms and think you may have mpox, see a healthcare provider and take precautions to prevent others from getting sick.
Treatment
Most people with mpox recover fully in 2-4 weeks without special treatment, and many symptoms can be treated at home.
Antiviral medications, such as tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems. A healthcare provider can work with public health to evaluate and support these instances, if needed.
If you have symptoms of mpox, you should talk to your healthcare provider, even if you don’t think you had contact with someone who has mpox. It is especially important to talk to your healthcare provider if you have a weakened immune system or an active skin condition, are pregnant or were recently pregnant, or if pain becomes severe and unmanageable at home.
Mpox vaccine
A vaccine called Jynneos can prevent mpox. Get two doses of the vaccine at least 28 days apart. For the best protection, get your second dose even if it has been longer than 28 days since your first. If you’ve already received two doses, additional doses are not recommended at this time, except for certain people who work with orthopoxviruses in research or mpox diagnostic laboratories. You can check your vaccine record online.
Many providers across Colorado have no- or low-cost mpox vaccines for people who are uninsured or underinsured. Providers may ask you for an ID, insurance, or payment for the administration of the vaccine, but none of these are required to get vaccinated at clinics where free, publicly funded vaccines are available.
Mpox vaccines are also available to providers through the commercial market, including many retail pharmacies. The cost of commercial Jynneos vaccine is covered by some health insurance plans, including Medicaid for people 18 years and older and Medicare Part D. If you have health insurance, call your insurance company to ask if your plan covers Jynneos.
Who should get vaccinated?
People who have had close contact with someone with mpox or are at high risk of exposure can get vaccinated. Public health specifically recommends vaccination for:
- Anyone who had close physical contact with someone who has mpox in the last 14 days.
- Anyone who:
- Has multiple or anonymous sexual partners, or
- Has close physical contact with other people in a venue where anonymous or group sex may occur, or
- Was diagnosed with gonorrhea or syphilis in the past six months, or
- Is living with HIV, or
- Is immunocompromised and anticipates potential mpox exposure, or
- Already uses or is eligible for HIV PrEP (medication to prevent HIV, such Truvada, Descovy, or Apretude), or
- Has sex in exchange for money, shelter, food, and other goods or needs.
- Anyone identified by public health as a known high-risk contact of someone who has mpox.
- Anyone whose sexual partner identifies with any of the above.
- Anyone who anticipates experiencing any of the above.
- Some people who are traveling to areas with clade I mpox cases (see travel recommendations).
If you have questions about whether vaccination is right for you, talking with a health care provider can help you learn more. A conversation with a health care provider is not required to get vaccinated against mpox.
Where to get tested for mpox
If you have symptoms and are concerned about mpox, contact your healthcare provider or sexual health clinic for an evaluation. Samples collected by a healthcare provider can now be tested at most commercial labs. If you have a rash or sores, cover them with long sleeves, pants, or a bandage until otherwise told by a doctor. Wear a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth during your appointment.
Denver Sexual Health Clinic
Phone: (303) 602-3540
Address: 660 N. Bannock St., Pavilion L, 2nd Floor, Denver, CO 80204
Jefferson County Public Health Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic
Phone: (303) 239-7040
Address: 645 Parfet St., Lakewood, CO 80215
Dashboard: Mpox Cases in Denver
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*Data is updated on a monthly basis.
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