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Mpox

What Should I Do?

Based on CDC and WHO guidance, checked against those sources on Oct 12, 2026. Educational information only — not a diagnosis or a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional.

1 · Prevention

  • Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.
  • Do not share bedding, towels, clothing, cups or utensils with someone who has mpox.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • If you could be exposed (for example through sexual networks where mpox is spreading, or travel to areas with clade I outbreaks), ask a healthcare professional about mpox vaccination.
  • In areas where mpox circulates in animals, avoid wild animals, especially rodents and primates, alive or dead.

Vaccines & preventive medicines

  • Mpox vaccines are available for people at risk. After contact with someone who has mpox, WHO advises vaccination within 4 days (or up to 14 days if you have no symptoms). A healthcare professional or health department can advise.

2 · Possible exposure

  • Contact a healthcare provider or health department promptly — ask whether post-exposure vaccination is recommended.
  • Watch for symptoms (including fever and new rash) for 21 days after the exposure.
  • Follow any health-department advice about limiting close contact while you watch for symptoms.

3 · Symptoms or illness

  • Contact a healthcare provider to get tested; tell them about any rash and possible exposures. Call ahead.
  • Stay home and avoid close contact with others, including sex, until the rash has fully healed — scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
  • Cover lesions with clothing or bandages if you must be around others; wear a well-fitting mask.
  • Do not share bedding, towels or clothing, and avoid contact with pets.

Protect family & others

  • Isolate until healed as described above.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and wash laundry used by the sick person (avoid shaking contaminated laundry).
  • Tell recent close and sexual contacts so they can seek advice about vaccination.
  • Isolation lasts until all lesions have scabbed over, scabs have fallen off, new skin has formed, and fever and other symptoms have gone away — often 2–4 weeks.

Groups at higher risk of severe illness

  • People with weakened immune systems, including untreated HIV
  • Children, especially babies younger than 1
  • People who are pregnant or were recently pregnant
  • People with eczema or other active skin conditions (such as psoriasis)
Mpox · OutbreakWatch