Mpox: What you need to know

Mpox is a rare but potentially serious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is part of the same family of viruses that causes smallpox. The virus is usually found in areas of Africa, however occasionally there are outbreaks of mpox in other areas of the world.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently tracking an outbreak of mpox in several countries, including the United States.

Mpox is rarely fatal. It causes symptoms like the flu and a rash that can take several weeks to clear.

Mpox symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the virus.

Symptoms include:

• Fever

• Headache

• Muscle aches and backache

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Chills

• Exhaustion

• Respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion or cough

• Rash

The rash usually starts one to three days after the fever. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing. The rash can look like pimples or blisters and can be painful or itchy. Mpox can spread to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed (two to four weeks).

Most people with mpox recover within two to four weeks without needing any treatment. Care can include easing symptoms by pain management and drinking enough liquids.

• If you have mpox, isolate at home in a separate room from other people until your rash and scabs heal.

• If you are exposed to mpox, monitor for symptoms for 21 days after your date of exposure.

• If you have symptoms of mpox, contact your healthcare provider and isolate from others.

UW Health has a supply of JYNNEOS vaccine, the preferred vaccine that protects against mpox. If you believe you are eligible to receive the vaccine and would like to schedule an appointment, call (608) 422-8100.

Vaccine information and eligibility criteria are all subject to change as the mpox outbreak continues to evolve.

UW Health vaccine eligibility

The mpox vaccine, Jynneos, is available to UW Health patients who meet the following criteria:

• You had known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox

• You had a sex partner in the past 2 weeks who was diagnosed with mpox

• You are a gay, bisexual or other man who has sex with men or a transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse person who in the past 6 months has had any of the following:

  • A new diagnosis of one of more sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)

  • More than one sex partner

• You have had any of the following in the past 6 months:

  • Sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse)

  • Sex related to a large commercial event or in a geographic area (city or county for example) where mpox virus transmission is occurring

• You have a sex partner with any of the above risks

• You anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios

• If you are traveling to a country with a clade I mpox outbreak and anticipate any of the following activities during travel, regardless of gender identify or sexual orientation

  • Sex with a new partner

  • Sex at a commercial sex venue (e.g., a sex club or bathhouse)

  • Sex in exchange for money, goods, drugs or other trade

  • Sex in association with a large public event (e.g., a rave, party or festival)

• You are at risk for occupational exposure to orthopoxviruses (e.g., certain people who work in a laboratory or a healthcare facility

You should not get the vaccine if you had a severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis) after getting a previous dose of the HYNNEOS vaccine or to a vaccine component.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics gentamicin or ciprofloxacin, or chicken or egg protein.

Vaccination schedule

Eligible individuals 18 years or older can receive the two-dose vaccine series via the subcutaneous route spaced 28 days apart.

If you believe you are eligible to receive the vaccine and would like to schedule an appointment, call (608) 422-8100.

For more information about vaccine eligibility, please visit:

• Public Health Madison & Dane County

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)

• Illinois Department of Public Health

To prevent the spread of mpox:

• Avoid close, prolonged contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox

• Avoid contact with items and materials used by a person with mpox

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Additional resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Mpox