Mpox (Monkeypox): Symptoms, Spread, Treatment and Prevention

Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026

Quick Answer: What is mpox?

Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a viral illness that commonly causes a rash and flu-like symptoms; the rash may include painful bumps, blisters and crusts on the face, hands, genitals or elsewhere. It normally runs its course in about two to four weeks. Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, seizures or loss of consciousness. [1]

Mpox can involve a rash, flu-like symptoms or both. Illustration for Rinnit.com; not a diagnostic image.

What the research says

• Two doses of the main mpox vaccine were highly protective in real-world studies. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 33 studies of third-generation mpox vaccines (32 of them MVA-BN) estimated vaccine effectiveness of 76% (95% CI 64–88%) for one dose (12 studies) and 82% (95% CI 72–92%) for two doses (6 studies). Estimates for vaccination after exposure were much less certain (20%, 95% CI −24 to 65%; 7 studies) because of study-design limits, and most studies focused on men who have sex with men aged 18–49 during the 2022 outbreak (Pischel et al., Vaccine, 2024). [2]

• Most clade IIb mpox is self-limited, but severe illness is more likely with advanced HIV. A clinical review reports that early symptoms include fever (62–72%) and swollen lymph nodes (56–86%), skin lesions progress through four stages over 2 to 4 weeks, and mortality in the US was below 0.2%. Severe illness and death may occur in immunocompromised people, especially those with advanced HIV (CD4 count under 200 cells/μL), and first-line treatment is supportive care (Titanji et al., JAMA, 2024). [3]

• Children and pregnant people are an under-studied group at higher risk. A meta-analysis of 61 studies (53 reporting outcomes in 2,123 children) found a pooled pediatric case fatality ratio of 11% (95% CI 4–20%), with 12 of 20 pediatric complications (60%) arising from secondary bacterial infections. Among 12 pregnancies with data, half ended in fetal death. No randomized trials of treatments were found, and the authors highlighted major evidence gaps, especially in endemic countries (Sanchez Clemente et al., Lancet Glob Health, 2024). [4]

What are the symptoms of mpox?

Mpox symptoms can vary from person to person. A person may have only a rash, develop other symptoms later, experience flu-like symptoms followed by a rash, or have no rash at all. [1]

Possible symptom	What it may involve
Rash, skin ulcers or blisters	Lesions that may change appearance as they develop and heal.
Fever	A raised body temperature.
Swollen lymph nodes	Enlarged or tender lymph nodes.
Chills	Feeling unusually cold or shivery.
Headache	Head pain that may occur with other flu-like symptoms.
Muscle aches	Aching or soreness in muscles.
Fatigue	Feeling unusually tired or depleted.

Symptoms can resemble other illnesses. A new rash or a combination of fever, aches or swollen lymph nodes should be discussed with a healthcare provider rather than self-diagnosed from an image.

What does the mpox rash look like?

The rash may appear as sores on the mouth, face, hands, feet, penis, vagina or anus. It may be widespread, or it may consist of only a few bumps or blisters. [1]

The rash can pass through several stages over approximately two to four weeks. It may begin as flat, red and sometimes painful bumps; become raised; turn into blisters; fill with pus; and then crust over and fall off. [1]

Rash stages summarized in this guide. Individual lesions may not follow an identical appearance or course.

Because mpox can present with a rash alone or without a rash, the absence of one expected feature does not rule it in or out. A healthcare provider can assess the pattern and decide whether testing is needed.

What causes mpox?

Mpox is caused by an infection with monkeypox virus, a pox virus in the Orthopoxvirus genus. It is related to the virus that causes smallpox, but the illnesses are distinct. [1]

There are two known subtypes. Clade I is endemic to Central Africa and tends to cause more serious illness than clade II. Clade II is endemic to East Africa and is less likely to be fatal than clade I. [1]

How does mpox spread?

Mpox can spread through direct contact with sores or scabs from an infected person or animal. It can also spread through contact with saliva, respiratory secretions, blood or other bodily fluids, and through materials such as clothing, bedding and towels used by an infected person or animal. Transmission from a pregnant woman to a fetus during pregnancy or at birth is also possible. [1]

Specific situations that can spread mpox include close intimate contact such as cuddling, kissing or sex; skin-to-skin contact; sharing towels, bedding or sex toys; and talking, sneezing or coughing very close to another person, although the latter is less likely. Bites or scratches from an infected animal and eating meat from an infected animal are additional routes. [1]

Routes of spread and practical prevention actions. Illustration for Rinnit.com; not a substitute for exposure assessment.

Route of exposure	Examples
Contact with lesions	Touching mpox sores, blisters or scabs.
Contact with fluids or secretions	Saliva, mucus, blood or other bodily fluids.
Close contact	Cuddling, kissing, sex or skin-to-skin contact.
Shared materials	Clothing, bedding, towels or sex toys used by an infected person or animal.
Animal exposure	Bites or scratches from an infected animal, or eating meat from an infected animal.
Pregnancy and birth	Transmission from a pregnant woman to the fetus during pregnancy or at birth.

A person can have mpox without knowing it. Even when signs are limited, prolonged close contact can still spread the infection to others.

Who can get mpox?

Anyone can get mpox. Exposure patterns can differ across communities and outbreaks, and a person’s identity alone does not determine whether they have mpox.

Higher exposure risk is identified in situations such as having sex with someone diagnosed with mpox, having sex at a commercial sex venue or at an event or location where mpox was spreading, having a partner with those exposures, having a recent diagnosis of certain sexually transmitted infections, or having sex with more than one person in the previous six months. This information is for exposure assessment, not for labeling or stigmatizing people. [1]

Some people may be more likely to become severely ill, including people with a weakened immune system, especially when related to HIV; people with a history of eczema; people who are pregnant; and babies younger than 1 year. [1]

What complications can mpox cause?

Possible complications include bacterial infections that can lead to sepsis, eye infection with vision loss or eye damage, inflammation around the heart, inflammation in the brain, pneumonia, respiratory distress and severe scarring. [1]

Complications are one reason to take a new rash or compatible symptoms seriously, especially during pregnancy or when a person has a weakened immune system. A healthcare provider can help assess the situation and identify symptoms that need urgent attention.

How is mpox diagnosed?

To diagnose mpox, a healthcare provider may swab two or three sores and send the samples to a laboratory for polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, testing. Blood tests may also be used. [1]

Tell the provider if you may have been exposed to mpox. Because other illnesses can cause a rash, the provider may also test for conditions such as measles or chickenpox. [1]

Before an appointment, record when symptoms started, whether a rash changed over time, where lesions appeared, whether you had close contact with someone who has mpox, and whether fever, aches or swollen lymph nodes are present. This can help organize the history you share, but it does not replace professional evaluation.

How is mpox treated?

Mpox has no approved antiviral treatments, although a provider may consider antiviral medicines or antibody treatment for people who are very sick or pregnant. If a person is very sick or pregnant, a healthcare provider may consider antiviral medicines or antibody treatment. Researchers are still studying how well these treatments work for mpox because some are approved to treat other viral infections.

Treatment decisions must be made by a healthcare provider. Do not use this article to select a medicine, dose or treatment course, and do not delay care while waiting for a rash to resolve.

How can you care for yourself at home with mpox?

People with mpox symptoms may be able to care for themselves at home with rest, plenty of fluids and symptom-relief measures. Over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve symptoms, and colloidal oatmeal baths may ease the dry, itchy feeling that can accompany skin rashes. [1]

If you have mpox, stay home and avoid contact with others until your skin has healed. Covering small ulcers or sores with gauze or bandages can limit spread to other people and to items you touch. Avoid contact with pets, especially rodents, because mpox can pass between humans and animals. [1]

If you must be around other people to seek medical care, wear a respirator mask that covers your mouth and nose. A healthcare provider can give individualized instructions about isolation, wound coverage, symptom relief and follow-up. [1]

How can you prevent mpox?

Vaccination is the best way to reduce risk for people at higher risk of exposure, with vaccination before exposure or as soon as possible after exposure. Ask a healthcare provider or local public-health service whether vaccination is appropriate and where it is available. [1]

Other prevention steps include avoiding close contact in social settings where people have a lot of exposed skin, not touching mpox rashes, blisters or scabs, avoiding bedding or materials that may be contaminated, washing hands frequently with soap and water, practicing safer sex including condoms or dental dams, and wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose around others. [1]

Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, using personal protective equipment such as gloves and a mask when caring for someone with mpox, avoiding infected or wild animals, thoroughly cooking meat and not eating meat from wild animals are also recommended. [1]

Prevention focus	Practical step
Vaccination	Consider vaccination if you have a higher risk of exposure; ask a healthcare provider about timing and access.
Skin and lesion contact	Do not touch mpox rashes, blisters or scabs.
Close contact	Avoid close contact in relevant social situations and use safer-sex barriers.
Shared materials	Avoid bedding and other materials that may be contaminated.
Hand hygiene	Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
Environmental cleaning	Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Caregiving	Use appropriate protective equipment when caring for a person with mpox.
Animals and food	Avoid infected or wild animals, cook meat thoroughly and do not eat wild-animal meat.

Prevention is not about blame. It is about reducing contact with the virus while making room for timely testing, vaccination conversations and care.

How long does mpox last?

Mpox normally takes about two to four weeks to run its course. A healthcare provider may monitor a person until the rash resolves.

The time course does not guarantee that every person will have the same symptoms or level of illness. Pregnancy, a weakened immune system, eczema history and very young age can be associated with greater risk of severe illness.

When should you contact a healthcare provider about mpox?

Talk with a healthcare provider if you feel sick with fever, aches or swollen lymph nodes; have a new rash or sores; have been in close contact with a person who has mpox; or want information about vaccination. [1]

If you are pregnant, tell your pregnancy care provider right away if you have been exposed or develop symptoms. The provider can help reduce the risk of severe illness and transmission to the fetus during pregnancy and birth. [1]

When should you seek emergency care for mpox?

Go to an emergency department or call your local emergency services number for trouble breathing or severe shortness of breath, new or worsening chest pain, neck stiffness, confusion or difficulty thinking clearly, difficulty speaking or moving, loss of consciousness, seizures, or a wound that is not healing or is very painful. [1]

These warning signs can have causes other than mpox, but they still warrant urgent evaluation. If you are unsure how serious your symptoms are, contact a healthcare professional or local emergency service for guidance.

Mpox, chickenpox and smallpox: what is different?

Mpox and chickenpox are caused by different viruses. Chickenpox spreads more easily, while swollen lymph nodes are more likely with mpox. The rashes also behave differently: chickenpox may appear in waves, while mpox sores develop at the same time. Chickenpox tends to improve within two weeks, while mpox commonly takes two to four weeks to resolve. [1]

Mpox and smallpox are caused by similar but distinct viruses in the Orthopoxvirus genus. Smallpox was eradicated by 1980 and spread more easily than mpox. Mpox symptoms are similar to smallpox but milder. [1]

Because rashes can overlap in appearance, a comparison table cannot diagnose an individual. Testing and professional assessment are the right way to clarify a new or concerning rash.

Feature	Mpox	Chickenpox	Smallpox
Cause	Monkeypox virus, an Orthopoxvirus.	A different virus, a herpes virus.	A related but distinct Orthopoxvirus infection.
Rash pattern	Sores may develop at the same time and can last two to four weeks.	Rash can appear in waves and often improves within two weeks.	Symptoms can resemble mpox but are more severe.
Spread	Can spread through close contact, lesions, fluids, materials and infected animals.	Spreads more easily than mpox.	Spread more easily than mpox; eradicated by 1980.
Key caution	Appearance alone is not enough to diagnose.	A rash may need professional assessment.	Historical comparison only; not a current circulating disease.

Conclusion

Mpox is a viral illness that can produce a rash, flu-like symptoms, or both. The rash may be limited or widespread and can change through several stages over two to four weeks. Because symptoms vary, a new rash, compatible symptoms or a close exposure should prompt a healthcare conversation rather than online self-diagnosis.

Reducing risk means using the prevention steps that fit your circumstances, asking about vaccination when exposure risk is higher, avoiding contact with lesions and contaminated materials, and staying home while infected until the skin has healed. For more clear, stigma-free health explainers, explore Rinnit.com’s health library and bring personal questions to a qualified clinician.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mpox called now?

Mpox is the current name for the disease formerly called monkeypox. The virus that causes it is still called monkeypox virus.

Can anyone get mpox?

Yes. Anyone can get mpox. Exposure patterns vary, and a person’s identity alone does not establish whether they have the infection.

What are the first symptoms of mpox?

Possible symptoms include a rash, skin ulcers or blisters, fever, swollen lymph nodes, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Some people have only a rash, some develop symptoms later, and some do not develop a rash.

Can mpox spread through clothing or bedding?

Yes. Mpox can spread through contact with clothing, bedding and towels used by an infected person or animal, as well as through direct contact with sores, scabs or certain bodily fluids.

Is mpox a sexually transmitted infection?

Close intimate contact, including sex, is one way mpox can spread. It can also spread through nonsexual routes such as skin-to-skin contact, contact with lesions or fluids, shared materials and infected animals. Sexual contact is not the only route of transmission.

How is mpox tested?

A healthcare provider may swab two or three sores for PCR testing and may also order blood tests. Tell the provider about possible exposure because other illnesses can cause a similar rash.

Is there a treatment for mpox?

There are no approved antiviral treatments for mpox. In very sick or pregnant people, a provider may consider antiviral or antibody treatment, while researchers continue to study effectiveness for mpox.

How long does mpox last?

Mpox normally takes about two to four weeks to run its course, and a healthcare provider may monitor the person until the rash resolves.

When should I seek emergency care?

Seek emergency care for trouble breathing or severe shortness of breath, new or worsening chest pain, neck stiffness, confusion, difficulty speaking or moving, loss of consciousness, seizures, or a wound that is not healing or is very painful.

References

1. Cleveland Clinic. Mpox (Monkeypox): Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated October 25, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22371-monkeypox

2. Pischel L, Martini BA, Yu N, et al. Vaccine effectiveness of 3rd generation mpox vaccines against mpox and disease severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Vaccine. 2024;42(25):126053. PMID 38906763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.06.021

3. Titanji BK, Hazra A, Zucker J. Mpox clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies: a review. JAMA. 2024;332(19):1652-1662. PMID 39401235. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.21091

4. Sanchez Clemente N, Coles C, Paixao ES, et al. Paediatric, maternal, and congenital mpox: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2024;12(4):e572-e588. PMID 38401556. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00607-1

Disclaimer

This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions about a medical condition or treatment.