What to Know About Mpox: Treatment Options and Vaccines

After experiencing a significant decline in cases in the US since 2022, mpox has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). Cases have been spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other countries in Africa. Sweden has also confirmed its first case of the viral infection of on Thursday, Aug. 15, matching the same new, more severe strain in Africa

“The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying,” said WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, MD in a statement. “On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”

But what does this outbreak mean for the US and what precautions should you take, if any? The risk in the US remains low. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have already recommended that “clinicians and jurisdictions in the United States maintain a heightened index of suspicion for mpox in patients who have recently been in DRC or to any country sharing a border with DRC (ROC, Angola, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, South Sudan, CAR) and present with signs and symptoms consistent with mpox.” The organization also recommends vaccination to those eligible and most at risk, including those who’ve potentially been exposed to the virus and those with certain sex partners, as the disease can be spread through close or intimate contact.

Ahead, find useful information on mpox, including symptoms, treatments, vaccine options, and how to stay safe.

Experts Featured in This Article:

Will Kimbrough, MD, is a primary care provider at One Medical.

Amesh Adalja, MD, is an infectious disease expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

What Is Mpox?

“Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus,” says Amesh Adalja, MD, infectious disease expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. This rare disease falls within the family of pox viruses, which includes smallpox and cowpox. It was discovered in 1958 in Denmark among monkeys kept for research, per the WHO.

The virus didn’t spread to humans initially. But the first reported human case of mpox was found in a 9-month-old boy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970, the WHO reports. Since then, the majority of mpox cases have occurred in central, east, and west Africa or among people who’ve traveled to those areas. But in recent years cases have also appeared to be spreading among people who didn’t travel to Africa, but rather via intimate contact — particularly among men who’ve had sex with other men.

What Are the Symptoms of Mpox?

Within 7 to 14 days of exposure, symptoms will typically begin, says Will Kimbrough, MD, primary care provider at One Medical. According to the CDC, traditional symptoms of mpox are similar to smallpox but are milder and include:

It’s important to note that the rash may initially appear as itchy and painful pimples or blisters. Then, it will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.

“If one suspects they have mpox they should seek immediate medical attention and isolate oneself,” Dr. Adalja tells PS. Dr. Kimbrough also recommends notifying anyone you’ve been in close contact with since your symptoms began.

How Is Mpox Spread?

“Mpox is spread through close contact with an animal, human, or materials contaminated with the virus, such as clothing or bedding,” says Dr. Kimbrough. “The most common means of transmission for this current outbreak is skin-to-skin contact, and it can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets.”

Humans can also contract the virus from infected animals through a bite or scratch, or direct contact with their skin, blood, or feces, Dr. Kimbrough adds. And a pregnant person can transmit the virus to their fetus via the placenta or to a newborn during or after birth, per the CDC.

Also important to note: Though mpox can be transmitted through close contact during sex, it is not a sexually transmitted disease.

What Is Mpox Treatment?

“Mpox is usually a self-limited disease (gets better without treatment) with symptoms lasting from two to four weeks,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. In other words, there is no specific treatment.

Mpox is usually addressed through supportive care (e.g. topicals for itching or irritation and pain medication), Dr. Adalja says. Other at-home management tools, per Dr. Kimbrough, include:

“In certain cases, especially in the immunocompromised, such as those with HIV, the antiviral tecovirimat is administered,”

The drug tecovirimat, or Tpoxx, can heal skin lesions within 24 hours, compared to untreated mpox with symptoms that last about two to four weeks, per the New York Times. However, due to bureaucratic barriers (such as requiring a doctor to fill out a 27-page application for each patient, per the Times), it has been difficult to obtain in recent years.

Most people will get over mpox without needing to be hospitalized. But unfortunately, it can be fatal for one in 10 people who get it, with more severe cases found in children, according to the CDC.

Is There an Mpox Vaccine?

There is no vaccine for mpox exclusively. But there are several smallpox vaccines that have been used for mpox prevention. “Smallpox vaccines such as Jynneos, ACAM2000, and LC16 (which will be deployed in Africa along with Jynneos) are protective against mpox,” Dr. Adaja tells PS.

Jynneos is the prime vaccine being used against Mpox in the United States. The vaccine is administered in two doses and should be given four weeks apart. You will have maximum protection two weeks after your second dose, per the CDC.

Do I Need an Mpox Vaccine?

“Mpox vaccines are currently only recommended for people who’ve been exposed to, or are likely to be exposed to, mpox,” the Cleveland Clinic states.

In the US, high-risk individuals such as commercial sex workers and men who have sex with other men should be vaccinated, Dr. Adalja says. Other at-risk individuals, per the CDC, include, those of any gender who have had close contact (including intimate and sexual contact) with a person who is at risk for mpox or may have mpox.

How Concerned Should I Be About Mpox in the US?

“The level of mpox in the US is very low,” Dr. Adalja says. The WHO’s public health emergency announcement was announced primarily to mobilize resources in Africa, particularly the DRC, he adds.

“It is important to remember that mpox is a rare disease and is not spread easily between people without close contact,” Dr. Kimbaugh says.

That said, be mindful of any activities that facilitate prolonged, close contact with others where mpox is present or suspected is at a higher risk, per Dr. Kimbaugh.

“Also, being aware of your own health and seeking healthcare guidance promptly if you develop symptoms can help reduce the risk of spread to others,” he tells PS.

Alexis Jones is the senior health and fitness editor at PS. Her passions and areas of expertise include women’s health and fitness, mental health, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and chronic conditions. Prior to joining PS, she was the senior editor at Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found at Women’s Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.

Jenny Sugar is a former PS staff writer. She reports on all things fitness, but especially loves CrossFit and yoga.

Melanie Whyte was a contributing staff writer for PS. Based in NYC, she writes about LGBTQ+ identity, sex and relationships, pop culture hot takes, mental health, and home improvement. Her work has been featured by Refinery29, Real Simple, Apartment Therapy, Southern Living, Coveteur, NPR, and more.

Sara Youngblood Gregory was a contributing staff writer for PS Wellness. She covers sex, kink, disability, pleasure, and wellness. Her work has been featured in Vice, HuffPost, Bustle, DAME, The Rumpus, Jezebel, and many others.