U.S. CDC recommends vaccination against mpox if:

• You had known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox
• You had a sex partner in the past 2 weeks who was diagnosed with mpox
• You are a gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men or a transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse person who in the past 6 months has had any of the following:
  • A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
  • More than one sex partner
• You have had any of the following in the past 6 months:
  • Sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse)
  • Sex related to a large commercial event or in a geographic area (city or county for example) where mpox virus transmission is occurring
  • Sex in exchange for money or other items
• You have a sex partner with any of the above risks
• You anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios
• You have HIV or other causes of immune suppression and have had recent or anticipate future risk of mpox exposure from any of the above scenarios
• You work in settings where you may be exposed to mpox:
  • You work with orthopoxviruses in a laboratory

If you think you meet these criteria, contact one of the sites in the table below.

To be fully vaccinated for mpox, you need to receive two vaccine doses about four weeks apart. You are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after your second vaccine. You will receive instructions on how to schedule your second vaccine appointment when you get your first shot.

Ways to Make Yourself More Comfortable If You Have Mpox Symptoms:

• Drink plenty of water and other clear fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Keep sores clean and dry when you are not showering or bathing.
• Your healthcare provider may talk to you about using these steps based on your symptoms:
• Itching
• Use over-the-counter oral antihistamines (like diphenhydramine/Benedryl, cetirizine, or hydroxyzine).
• Use topical ointments like calamine lotion or petroleum jelly (Vaseline, etc.)
• Mouth pain or sores
• Use prescription mouthwash. This helps mouth pain and keeps sores clean.
• Use topical over-the-counter oral gels to reduce pain (like Orajel). Talk to your healthcare provider about how much to use.
• Sores in the genital or anal regions
• Use warm sitz baths.
• Use topical pain-relief gels or creams (like RectiCare) to provide temporary relief.
• Proctitis (swelling of the lining of the rectum internal to the anus)
• Use stool softeners like docusate and warm sitz baths.
• Use over-the-counter pain medications like acetopminophen.
• Your healthcare provider may prescribe other pain medications. Discuss side effects with them before taking any other medications.
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Talk to your healthcare provider about prescription medications to control nausea.
• Diarrhea
• Drink plenty of water and fluids with electrolytes to stay hydrated.
• Over-the-counter medications are not recommended.
• Bacterial infections
• Talk to your healthcare provider about if and when you may need antibiotics.

Many people with mpox only have mild symptoms. Most people with mpox recover fully within 2 to 4 weeks. Most do not need medical treatment.

Mpox treatment includes supportive care to manage symptoms like pain and rashes. There is also a medication that specifically targets the monkeypox virus (antiviral).

This medication was originally developed to protect against smallpox. It can also be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections.

Antivirals, like tecovirimat (TPOXX), are recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill. This includes:

• People who are hospitalized for severe mpox symptoms
• People who have a weakened immune system
• People with certain skin conditions
• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• People with certain complications

If you have symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. They may want to test you, even if you do not remember having contact with someone with mpox.

If you have mpox, ask your healthcare provider if mpox treatment is right for you.

These locations have TPOXX available for treating patients seen at their location. Please contact the facility beforehand to find out how to access care at that location.

More information for healthcare providers is available on the Clinician Information Page.