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.
Mpox has recently been spreading in locations that do not typically report cases or local transmission of the virus, including the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. Mpox is endemic in Central and 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 has a fatality rate of less than 1%.
Mpox symptoms
People with mpox often get a rash that may be located on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth or near the genitals, including penis, testicles, labia, and vagina, and anus. The incubation period is 3–17 days. During this time, a person does not have symptoms and may feel fine.
- The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
- The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
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)
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:
- 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 for more than 3 hours 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.
How long to mpox symptoms last?
Typically, mpox symptoms start within 21 days of exposure to the virus. If you have flu-like symptoms, you will likely develop a rash 1–4 days later. If you have symptoms, such as a rash, visit a healthcare provider.
A person with mpox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
New data show that some people can spread mpox to others from one to four days before their symptoms appear. It’s not clear how many people this has affected during the ongoing global outbreak that began in 2022. There is currently no evidence showing that people who never have symptoms have spread the virus to someone else. CDC will continue to monitor the latest information about how mpox spreads.
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Vaccination Clinics
The Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) is hosting mpox vaccine clinics. Please refer to CDPHE’s mpox webpage for information about the clinics and how to request an appointment.
Mpox Vaccination
A free vaccine called Jynneos can protect against mpox. People who were recently exposed to mpox, or may be at risk for exposure, should get vaccinated. People who already have symptoms of mpox (fever, rash, etc.) should not get vaccinated.
Get vaccinated with 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.
This vaccine can be given between layers of the skin (intradermally) or in the fatty tissue under the skin (subcutaneously). You can ask to get the vaccine in a way that will not cause a scar (subcutaneously).
No ID, insurance, or payment is needed to get vaccinated.
Who should get vaccinated
Anyone who thinks they may be at risk of exposure to mpox 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.
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.
In October 2023, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) added the Jynneos vaccine to the routine vaccination schedule for adults who are at increased risk of exposure to mpox.
The Jynneos vaccine is fully licensed for people 18 years of age and older, and available under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)(opens in new window) for people under 18 years of age who are at high risk for mpox exposure.
Some children may benefit from alternative options for post-exposure prophylaxis. Data shows that the Jynneos vaccine may not work well to protect infants under the age of 6 months from mpox. In these cases, public health will consult with CDC and the child’s primary care provider to discuss available options.
CDPHE-hosted clinics can vaccinate eligible people aged 15 years and older. Parents and guardians of children younger than 15 years who may need to be vaccinated should contact their health care provider or local public health agency. Parental/guardian consent is required to administer the Jynneos vaccine to anyone under the age of 18 years. In addition to parental/guardian consent, minors aged 15 to 17 must also sign a formal agreement to receive the vaccine at CDPHE-hosted clinics.
Dashboard: Mpox Cases in Denver
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*Data is updated on a monthly basis.
Treatment
There are no treatments specifically for mpox virus infections. However, mpox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat mpox virus infections.
Antivirals, such as tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems.
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 monkeypox.
Prevention
Take the following steps to prevent getting mpox:
Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with mpox.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with mpox.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with mpox.
Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with mpox.
If you are sick with mpox:
If you have an active rash or other symptoms, stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with, when possible
Vaccine Information
Vaccines can be used to reduce the likelihood of infection in people who may have been exposed to mpox or reduce the severity of symptoms if someone does get sick. The vaccine must be administered prior to onset of symptoms to be effective against becoming infected. Currently, JYNNEOS vaccine is the only mpox vaccine available to Colorado residents to limitations in supply.
Getting vaccinated lowers your chance of getting mpox if you are exposed to the virus. The sooner an exposed person gets the vaccine, the better. The vaccine can also 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.
The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) is managing mpox vaccine distribution in Colorado. CDPHE is hosting free vaccine clinics for eligible Coloradoans who meet the criteria. The clinics and number of appointments are based on the availability of vaccine, which is limited in supply. Please refer to CDPHE’s Mpox webpage for information about the clinics and how to request an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for a mpox vaccine in Colorado?
Eligibility for mpox vaccination may change as the outbreak evolves and based on vaccine supply. People who meet the following conditions are currently eligible to be vaccinated in Colorado:
- Gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men aged 18 years and older who have had multiple sexual partners, and/or sexual partners they did not previously know, in the last 14 days.
- Anyone aged 18 years and older who believes they have been in close contact with someone who has mpox in the last 14 days.
- Anyone identified by a state or local health department as having had close contact with a confirmed or probable mpox case.
What should I do if I suspect myself or someone I know has mpox?
If an individual has skin lesions and suspects they have mpox, they should contact their doctor or seek medical attention. A medical provider can help determine if testing is appropriate, and if there are other possible explanations for a person’s illness.
If you think you have been exposed to mpox or are experiencing symptoms, see a healthcare provider or call 1-877-462-2911.
Where to get tested for mpox
If you have symptoms and are concerned about mpox, contact your healthcare provider for an evaluation or go to a nearby Urgent Care location. Samples collected by a healthcare provider can now be tested at most commercial labs. People with symptoms who do not have a healthcare provider and have had known contact to someone with monkeypox or are at increased risk from sexual exposure, can visit the CDPHE's mpox testing page to find an updated list of available providers and their contact information.
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
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