About Mpox

• Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the Mpox virus, which is in the same family of viruses as the virus that causes smallpox.
• Symptoms of Mpox can include:
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches and backache
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Chills
  • Exhaustion
  • Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, cough)
  • A rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.
    • The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
    • The rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
• Mpox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.

Mpox Transmission

• 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.
  • A pregnant person can spread the virus to their unborn child.
  • It’s also possible for people to get Mpox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal.
• 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. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

Mpox Prevention and Protection

• Direct skin-to-skin contact, including sexual and/or close intimate contact, has been identified as a predominant type of exposure for persons with Mpox in the United States.
• Everyone should take steps to protect themselves from Mpox infection.
• 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 close personal contact 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.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

About the Mpox Vaccine:

• JYNNEOS™ is a vaccine for prevention of smallpox and Mpox disease and is given in a two-dose series, administered 28 days apart.
• The immune response takes 14 days after the second dose for maximal development.
• Adverse reactions to the vaccine include injection site reactions such as pain, swelling, and redness. Fatigue, headache, and muscle pain were most common systemic reactions observed in a clinical trial.
• Click here for additional information about JYNNEOS™
• Due to limited vaccine availability, the Southeast Health District is presently offering the Mpox vaccine by appointment only.

More Information

Much more information about Mpox, how it spreads, how to prevent infections, signs and symptoms, and more, visit cdc.gov/Mpox.

Mpox Home Isolation Guidance
Mpox Home Isolation Guidance – Spanish
Mpox Safer Sex Information Sheet
Mpox Stigma

For Providers:

Georgia DPH Letter to Providers -Mpox
Commercial Testing Guidance for Georgia Providers