ATTENTION

The Mpox vaccine is FREE and available in Aotearoa New Zealand now - For more info click here: Mpox Vaccines

Mpox is an orthopoxvirus – like smallpox but less severe. It’s normally found in Central and Western Africa, but since 2022 cases have begun to emerge globally.

The information on this page specifically relates to mpox cases that are spread via sexual contact. It’s important to note that this isn’t the only way that mpox spreads, and mpox isn’t technically an STI. But since it has recently spread among men who have sex with men and their sexual partners, we are including it along with other STIs on our website.

Symptoms

Typically, the first signs of an mpox infection are swollen lymph nodes, fever, muscle aches, and fatigue (flu-like symptoms). These are typically followed a few days later by lesions (sometimes referred to as spots, pimples, blisters, skin changes, or rash) on the body, but these may also form without any other symptoms.

Lesions are spots on the skin that fill with fluid, crust over, and eventually flake off. The lesions can be quite painful or itchy and can take a few weeks to heal.

The time from exposure to the mpox virus to showing symptoms is normally between 7 and 14 days, but symptoms can start as early as 5 days after exposure and as late as 21 days.

 

How can you get it?

Mpox is usually transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, though it can also be transmitted through contact with skin lesions or rashes, and through the transfer of bodily fluids such as saliva.

People who have close contact with people diagnosed with mpox (e.g., household members and healthcare workers) can also acquire mpox and should take precautions to avoid infection if they are in contact with someone with mpox.

Objects such as sheets, towels, clothing, or sex toys can also carry the virus, and so should be cleaned as required and not shared with people who have mpox. 

 

How do you know if you have it?

Mpox may be hard to identify as it shares many symptoms with other common illnesses such as the flu, and can also present similar to syphilis. If you have symptoms consistent with mpox and have recently had intimate contact with gay, bisexual, and/or other men who have sex with men, the best way to know for sure is to get tested.

Find out more about free mpox testing here.

 

Vaccine

The JYNNEOS vaccine shows good safety and effectiveness, and has been used internationally to reduce the severity of mpox symptoms, and also to prevent transmission and risk of severe disease. Mpox vaccines are primarily used to prevent mpox before you have been exposed, but can also be used after you have been exposed to prevent more severe symptoms from developing.

Two does of the vaccine are required - one dose last 6-12 months, two does will last for years.

Book your mpox vaccine here.

You can also read more about what you can do to reduce your chances of acquiring mpox here.

 

What happens if I acquire mpox?

If you are diagnosed with mpox, you are not required to isolate. You will need to cover skin lesions (where possible) and refrain from sexual and intimate activity until any lesions have healed completely. You should also use a condom during sexual activity for 3 months.

Public health services will support you by checking in on your symptoms and provide advice.

You can find more info about requirements and best practices for cases and close contacts here.

 

Partner notification

If you acquire mpox, some people will need to know so they can protect themselves or support you, but you won’t have to tell anyone who doesn’t need to know.

Do I have to tell anyone if I get monkeypox?

+

Some people will need to know so that they can protect themselves or support you, but you won’t have to tell anyone who doesn’t need to know:

Close Contacts (including sexual partners)

Yes, people who have had close contact with you while you have been infectious do need to know. Public Health will work with you to inform your contacts. Unless you tell them yourself, public health will not tell your contacts that you have mpox, just that they have been in contact with someone who has mpox.

Whānau

The people you live with may need to know so that you can protect each other. You don’t need to tell anyone else in your whānau or anyone else you don’t want to know. Having mpox is nothing to be ashamed of, so if you need any help, consider reaching out to those around you for support.

Employers

Public Health will work with you to do this. Your healthcare provider can provide you with a medical certificate to give to your employer as evidence that you are required to isolate and cannot attend your place of work. This certificate will not include clarification of an mpox diagnosis unless you have asked for it to. Instead, it will just give a general explanation that you cannot attend work due to medical reasons. Your employer would only be told of your mpox diagnosis if Public Health needed to manage potential exposure to mpox in your workplace, but this is unlikely.

 

Treatment

Mpox will go away on its own. While there is no official treatment for mpox, there are medications you can be prescribed, such as tecovirimat / Tpoxx to manage any discomfort you’re feeling, as mpox can be quite painful.

 

I’m living with HIV

People living with HIV are not necessarily at increased risk of acquiring mpox or having a more severe course of illness with mpox. Evidence suggests that those who are virally suppressed and on effective antiretroviral treatment may experience the same course of illness as a person living without HIV. People living with HIV who are not virally suppressed or have a low CD4+ count are more likely to experience worse symptoms.

If you're living with HIV, regardless of immune function, keep in touch with your healthcare provider and check in regularly if you have mpox. If you feel particularly unwell and/or are experiencing severe symptoms and/or pain (particularly in the butt), it is important you seek medical attention as soon as possible. You may be able to access treatment to help treat mpox or other therapies that can help to make you feel better.

We recommend all people living with HIV get vaccinated to protect themselves against mpox.

 

Who is most affected?

While gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) are not the only people at risk of mpox, in the current global outbreak, this is who mpox is disproportionately affecting. Sex can make transmission easier because of skin-to-skin contact and the transfer of bodily fluids such as saliva or semen during sex. Skin lesions may not be obvious or may be in places where they are not visible initially, and therefore some people may not know they have mpox and may be infectious. There have also been some cases that are asymptomatic.

GBM are often closely connected through close sexual networks in a relatively small population. We also know that cases of mpox among GBM were successfully identified thanks to vigilance about sexual health – this is something our communities are great at. Continuing to monitor symptoms and seeking medical advice when symptoms develop will help to protect our communities.

It is important that our conversations about mpox and GBM are never stigmatising. It can be easy to associate the spread of infections with moral judgements about people’s sexual behaviours or sexualities. There is no shame in acquiring mpox, and avoiding transmitting mpox is a good thing. Stigma is counterproductive to the collective need to identify cases and contain spread as it could cause people to avoid appropriate healthcare!

 

STIs

Scroll through to view

  • Chlamydia

    Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that can infect the mucous lining of the penis, anus or eyes.

    Keep reading…
  • Gonorrhoea

    Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that lives in the mucous lining of the penis, throat, anus or eyes.

    Keep reading…
  • Herpes (HSV)

    Herpes (HSV) presents in two different types.

    Keep reading…
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

    Human Papillomavirus (Warts) is the virus that can cause warts on the penis, anus or surrounding areas.

    Keep reading…
  • Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)

    LGV is a particularly virulent form of the Chlamydia bacteria. It is still rare, but it may become more common over time.

    Keep reading…
  • HIV

    ​We comprehensively discuss HIV across our website, so we'll just cover the basics here. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It belongs to a group of viruses called retroviruses, which work by invading cells within the body then begin to continually reproduce itself.

    Keep reading…
  • Hepatitis A

    Hepatitis A causes inflammation in the liver and is the form of the virus which often comes on very quickly and is short-term but severe.

    Keep reading…
  • Hepatitis C

    Hepatitis C (HCV) is a virus that causes serious damage to the liver.

    Keep reading…
  • Syphilis

    Syphilis is a bacterial infection that infects the penis, throat or anus and then spreads to different parts of the body through the bloodstream.

    Keep reading…
  • Gut Infections

    Gut Infections are caused by bacteria (such as amoebiasis, shigellosis, giardiasis and salmonellosis).

    Keep reading…
  • Hepatitis B

    Hepatitis B is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. 

    Keep reading…
  • Molloscum Contagiosum

    Molloscum Contagiosum (MC) is a virus that causes pimple-like lumps on the body.

    Keep reading…
  • Pubic Lice (Crabs)

    Pubic Lice (Crabs) are small parasites that grip onto the hair in the genital area.

    Keep reading…
  • Scabies

    Scabies are tiny mites (smaller than crabs) that burrow under the skin to lay eggs.

    Keep reading…
  • Thrush

    Thrush (or Candidiasis) is a yeast infection that irritates the mucous membranes around the genitals.

    Keep reading…
  • Previous
  • Next

    No results available