Mpox (formerly monkeypox)
Mpox is a rare viral infection that results in pus-filled blisters that appear on the body.
It is spread by close contact and exposure to an infected person's rash, skin lesions, respiratory secretions (during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex), other bodily fluids, or material (clothes/bedding) contaminated with the virus. Close personal contact, sexual or not, could cause a person to become infected.
A helpful comparison: although pox and chickenpox are caused by different viruses, they both result in temporary skin rashes that typically get better and clear up on their own. By contrast, chickenpox is highly contagious and spreads more easily than mpox.
Most individuals who are infected with mpox will recover within a few weeks, without the need for treatment.
What You Need To Know
- The mpox virus is spreading mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who has pox.
- You can take steps to prevent getting mpox and lower your risk during sex.
- CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to pox and people who are at higher risk of being exposed to mpox.
- If you have any symptoms of mpox, talk to your healthcare provider, even if you don’t think you had contact with someone who has pox.
Mpox Vaccines at Campus Health
If you are at risk for mpox, please consider getting vaccinated. Campus Health is administering the JYNNEOS vaccine to students and employees at no-cost. Please see the eligibility criteria below.
Vaccines are available Monday - Friday during our normal business hours. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 520-621-9202.
The Pima County Health Department also offers the mpox vaccine. If you are outside of Pima County, check with your local health department for vaccine availability.
If you feel you meet one of the criteria below, you are eligible to receive the JYNNEOS vaccine. In the past six months, you:
- Have been in contact with someone who has mpox
- Had sexual contact, or close physical contact, with more than one person
- Had a new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted infections, including acute HIV, chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis
- Had sexual partners of people with the above risks
- Anticipate experiencing the above risks
- Are in certain occupational exposure risk groups*
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms can appear between 3-17 days.
- Painful rash on or around the genitals, mouth or other areas
- Fever
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Muscle aches
- Low energy
Mpox can be spread 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.
Prevention
- 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.
- Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with mpox has used (e.g. clothing, bedding, towels)
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.
Testing & Treatment
Testing involves a swab test of a skin lesion. Those test results may take from 1-5 days to return from the lab. At this time, there is no blood test for the mpox virus or for antibodies again it.
There must be a rash present in order to do the virus culture swabbing for the currently used mpox test.
If you think you’ve been exposed to mpox, contact Campus Health at 520-621-9202 or your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Mpox: Get The Facts
Looking for information about mpox to post in your area and/or share with others? We've created a one-pager to make it easy.
If you have a new or unexplained rash or other symptoms of mpox:
- Avoid close contact with others, including in-person gatherings and sexual activity.
- Wear a mask and cover your rashes and/or sores until they have been looked at by a medical provider.
- Contact Campus Health or your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms, testing, and treatment options.