Mpox is a rare disease in the U.S. It is caused by the mpox virus, which belongs to the same group of viruses as smallpox. Mpox can make you sick including a rash or sores (pox), often with an earlier flu-like illness.
Information about the current status of mpox monitoring, including case numbers, is available from the Virginia Department of Health. Additional information is also available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you are sick and have symptoms consistent with mpox, seek medical care from your healthcare provider. Call ahead and let them know you are concerned about possible mpox infection so they can take precautions to ensure that others are not exposed.
If you do not have a health care provider, please call 703-246-7100 for guidance.
The mpox virus spreads mostly through close, intimate contact (e.g., skin-to-skin) with someone who has mpox.
This includes:
This kind of contact often happens during:
The risk is considered low for getting mpox by touching objects, fabrics, and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox. Items touched by someone with mpox should be cleaned and disinfected.
People with mpox can spread it from when symptoms start until the rash heals and new skin forms. Some people can spread mpox 1–4 days before symptoms appear. There is no evidence that people that never develop symptoms spread the virus.
Other ways the mpox virus can spread include:
Mpox does not spread from person to person through:
Mpox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus.
The illness often begins with a flu-like illness and includes some or all these symptoms:
Some people are at higher risk of developing severe illness, including individuals with weakened immune systems or a history of eczema, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and children under 8 years of age.
Photo credit: UK Health Security Agency, Source: CDC.
Important: Before you go into a healthcare facility to see your provider or for testing, cover your rash and scabs and follow any additional instructions they give you.
Mpox testing is available through your healthcare provider. Call your provider to schedule an appointment and ask about mpox testing. They may collect a specimen in their office and send it to a lab, or they may refer you to a lab where the specimen will be both collected and tested.
If you do not have a healthcare provider, some urgent care centers can see patients who have symptoms consistent with mpox and can provide testing. Call the urgent care center before you go and let them know you are concerned about mpox.
If you do not have a healthcare provider and are unable to be seen at an urgent care facility, the health department may be able to assist. Call 703-246-2433 for help with accessing mpox testing.
If you have been diagnosed with mpox or think you have mpox and are waiting to be tested or to receive your test results, it’s important to take the following steps so you do not give mpox to someone else.
If you are waiting to be tested or to receive your test results, you are advised to stay home (isolate) until you receive your test results. While at home you should stay away from others and not share objects (e.g., clothing, bedding, towels).
If you have mpox, you are advised to stay at home (isolate) until your mpox rash has healed and a new layer of skin has formed (usually 2 to 4 weeks). Staying away from other people and not sharing things you have touched with others will help prevent the spread of mpox. Mpox can also spread to animals, so staying away from pets, livestock and other animals is important.
As with many viral illnesses, treatment mainly involves supportive care and relief of symptoms. Learn how to take care of yourself and manage your symptoms.
If you have been diagnosed with mpox, it is important to notify your close contacts as soon as possible so they know they may have been exposed. This allows them to watch for signs and symptoms, get tested, isolate if they develop symptoms, and consider getting vaccinated.
If you test positive for mpox, the Health Department will contact you to help prevent further spread of the disease. During this conversation, a public health investigator will work with you to create a plan for notifying your close contacts. If you wish, they can confidentially notify your contacts on your behalf.
There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting mpox.
1. If eligible, get vaccinated against mpox! See details below.
2. Talk with your partners about safer sex. Tips on how to do this can be found here.
3. When you are around people with signs and symptoms of mpox (including skin or genital lesions):
4. If travelling abroad, learn about your exposure risk and safety:
