Mpox General Info

Mpox Information & Resources

Mpox is a rare, viral infection that does not usually cause serious illness. However, it can result in hospitalization or death. Mpox is typically spread through close, physical contact with someone who has mpox or with a contaminated object.

How mpox spreads
Mpox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:

  • Direct contact with mpox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with mpox.
  • Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox.
  • Contact with respiratory secretions

Symptoms
Symptoms of mpox can include:

  • Rashes, bumps, or blisters on or around the genitals or in other areas like your hands, feet, chest, or face.
  • Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue. These symptoms may occur before or after the rash appears, or not at all. 

If you are exposed or experience mpox symptoms, reach out to your health care provider.

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How to protect yourself against mpox
You can protect yourself by taking simple steps, which are especially important for those who may be at higher risk for severe disease, including people with weakened immune systems:

  • Ask your sexual partners whether they have a rash or other symptoms consistent with mpox.
  • Avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a rash or other mpox-related symptoms.
  • If you are exposed or experience symptoms, make sure to reach out to a health care provider.
  • Follow reputable sources of health information, including NYSDOH and CDC.

Mpox Vaccine
Vaccine for mpox can help prevent disease or make it less severe.

Those encouraged to get the mpox vaccine include:

  • Individuals with recent exposure to a suspected or confirmed mpox case within the past 14 days.
  • Those at high risk of a recent exposure to mpox, including gay men and members of the bisexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming community and other communities of men who have sex with men and who have engaged in intimate or skin-to-skin contact with others in the past 14 days areas where mpox is spreading.
  • Individuals who have had skin-to-skin contact with someone in a social network experiencing mpox activity, including men who have sex with men who meet partners through an online website, digital application ("app"), or social event, such as a bar or party.
  • Any individual that may be at risk of future exposure to infection with mpox, even though they are not at high risk of a recent exposure to mpox.