Monkeypox FAQ's

Frequently asked questions about monkeypox - CDC
Clinician FAQ's

  • What is monkeypox?
    Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal.

  • Are there different types of monkeypox?
    There are two types of monkeypox virus: Clade I and Clade II. Infections in the current outbreak are from  Clade II, or more specifically, Clade IIb. 

  • Is monkeypox deadly?
    Infections with the type of monkeypox virus identified in this outbreak—the Clade IIb —are rarely fatal. Over 99% of people who get this form of the disease are likely to survive. However, people with weakened immune systems, children under 8 years of age, people with a history of eczema, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding may be more likely to get seriously ill or die.  The Clade I type of monkeypox virus has a fatality rate around 10%.

  • When should someone get tested for monkeypox?
    People who think they have monkeypox or have had close personal contact with someone who has monkeypox should visit a healthcare provider to help them decide if they need to be tested for monkeypox. If they decide that you should be tested, they will work with you to collect the specimens and send them to a laboratory for testing.

  • What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
    Symptoms of monkeypox can include:
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Muscle aches and backache
    • Swollen lymph nodes
    • Chills
    • Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
    • A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
      • The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

      Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.

  • What should I do if I have symptoms? 
    • See a healthcare provider if you notice a new or unexplained rash or other monkeypox symptoms.
    • Remind the healthcare provider that monkeypox is present in the United States.
    • Avoid close contact (including intimate physical contact) with others until you see a healthcare provider.
    • Avoid close contact with pets or other animals until you see a healthcare provider.
    • If you’re waiting for test results, follow the same precautions.
    • If your test result is positive, stay isolated and observe other prevention practices until your rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.
    • Remain isolated if you have a fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough. Only go out to see a healthcare provider or for an emergency. Avoid public transportation. 
    • If you must leave isolation, cover the rash and wear a well-fitting mask.
  • How does monkeypox spread?
    Monkeypox can spread from person to person through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. It also can be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex. Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Anyone in close personal contact with a person with monkeypox can get it and should take steps to protect themselves.
  • Is monkeypox a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
    Monkeypox can more accurately be described as “sexually transmissible.” In other words, sex is just one of the ways that monkeypox can be spread. In the past, monkeypox outbreaks have been linked to direct exposure to infected animals and animal products, with limited person-to-person spread. In the current monkeypox outbreak, the virus is spreading primarily through close personal contact. This may include contact with infectious lesions or respiratory secretions via close, sustained skin-to-skin contact that occurs during sex. However, any close, sustained skin-to-skin contact with someone who has monkeypox can spread the virus. The contact does not have to be exclusively intimate or sexual.
  • How can monkeypox be prevented?
    • Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox. 
    • Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
    • 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.
  • Should people be concerned about going to crowded events?
    People can get monkeypox if they have close, skin-to-skin contact with someone who has monkeypox. Early indications are that events with activities in which people engage in close, sustained skin-to-skin contact have resulted in cases of monkeypox. If you plan to attend an event, consider how much close, personal, skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur there.

  • What treatments are available for monkeypox?
    People can get monkeypox if they have close, skin-to-skin contact with someone who has monkeypox. Early indications are that events with activities in which people engage in close, sustained skin-to-skin contact have resulted in cases of monkeypox. If you plan to attend an event, consider how much close, personal, skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur there.

  • Is there a vaccine to prevent monkeypox?
    Because monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, vaccines developed to protect against smallpox viruses may be used to prevent monkeypox infections.

    The U.S. government has two stockpiled vaccines—JYNNEOS and ACAM2000—that can prevent monkeypox in people who are exposed to the virus.

  • Who should get vaccinated? 
    CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who may be more likely to get monkeypox, including: People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with monkeypox: People who know one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with monkeypox. People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known monkeypox.
  • Where can you find out if you are eligible for a vaccine?
    If you think you may be eligible for vaccination, contact a healthcare provider or your local health department.  They can help you determine if you should get vaccinated.
  • If I am a man and recently have had multiple sexual partners, does that automatically make me eligible for the vaccine? 
    No. Having multiple sexual partners is one consideration, but there are others, such as whether you live in an area with ongoing spread of monkeypox or if one of your partners has recently been infected with monkeypox. If you think you have monkeypox or might be at risk for infection, contact a healthcare provider.