About Monkeypox
What causes monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare infectious disease that is caused by the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox is from the same family of viruses that causes smallpox.
Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, muscle aches and pains (myalgias), swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. View photos of characteristic skin lesions on the CDC website.
Does monkeypox go away?
Yes. For most people, monkeypox gets better on its own without treatment and symptoms can be managed at home. However, a person with monkeypox can spread monkeypox from the time symptoms first appear to the time the rash is fully healed.
How long does monkeypox last?
The rash and flu-like symptoms caused by monkeypox typically last 2 to 4 weeks.
Is monkeypox deadly?
Deaths from monkeypox infections caused by the West African type of monkeypox are rare. More than 99 percent of people who get the West African type, which is the type identified in the 2022 monkeypox outbreak, are likely to survive. However, there are conditions that put you at greater risk of serious illness and death from monkeypox, including a weakened immune system, pregnancy or breastfeeding, or being younger than 8 years old.
Typically, monkeypox itself is not deadly. However, in rare cases, monkeypox can cause complications including pneumonia, brain infections (encephalitis), or eye diseases, which may be deadly.
How long is the recovery time for monkeypox?
The recovery time from monkeypox is typically 2 to 4 weeks.
Can monkeypox be spread person to person?
Yes, monkeypox can be spread from person to person. The monkeypox virus spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s rash, scabs, body fluids or through respiratory droplets.
How does monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms begin until the rash causes by monkeypox fully heals. Symptoms typically last 2 to 4 weeks.
Currently, monkeypox spreads in a few different ways:
- From direct contact with an infected person’s rash, scabs, or body fluids.
- Through respiratory droplets during close, face-to-face contact such as during kissing, cuddling or sex.
- By touching items such as clothing or bed linens that were recently used by someone with monkeypox.
- In rare cases, a pregnant person can spread monkeypox to a fetus through the placenta.
If you do not have monkeypox symptoms, you cannot spread the virus to others.
Monkeypox Prevention and Treatments
Am I at risk of getting monkeypox?
In the United States, monkeypox is currently spreading primarily through close contact with people infected with the virus.
While the number of monkeypox cases in the U.S. are overall currently low, anyone can be susceptible to infection, and vaccination with the smallpox vaccine likely provides protection against monkeypox.
People who have had known close contact with someone with confirmed or suspected monkeypox, or who have a significant exposure risk to people with monkeypox infection within their social circles, should discuss their eligibility for vaccination with their healthcare provider or local health department.
Can I get monkeypox from having sex?
Yes, you can get monkeypox from having sex. Although it is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, anyone can get monkeypox from close physical contact with an infected person, which includes sex, as well as kissing, cuddling or talking closely.
How can monkeypox be prevented?
Monkeypox can be prevented by vaccination, and by avoiding close contact with people with suspected or confirmed monkeypox infection while they are contagious. People with monkeypox can spread monkeypox when they have symptoms and skin lesions that have not yet fully scabbed and crusted.
You should also avoid handling bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with confirmed or suspected monkeypox infection.
Is there a vaccine to prevent monkeypox?
Two vaccines that are licensed by the FDA to prevent smallpox can also be used to prevent monkeypox infection – JYNNEOS, which is also known as Imvamune or Imvanex, and ACAM2000. Currently there is a very limited supply of JYNNEOS that is being targeted for use in people who have been exposed to monkeypox, or people who are at very high risk for exposure. ACAM2000 is available, but requires special handling and administration and is not appropriate for many people, including those with certain skin conditions, pregnant people or people with weakened immune systems.
A limited supply of vaccines are currently being distributed through local health departments and select clinics and health systems for eligible patients.
Penn Medicine has an extremely limited supply of vaccine and will identify eligible patients. We are not taking appointment requests for monkeypox vaccines at this time.
Philadelphia residents can call the city's health department at 215-685-5488 or visit the City of Philadelphia website for more information.
If you received the smallpox vaccine before 1972 as part of the national immunization efforts in the United States, that vaccine may provide some immunity against severe monkeypox disease, but will likely not prevent infection. Currently, the CDC recommends repeat vaccination for people with high risk exposures to monkeypox if they received a smallpox vaccine more than 3 years ago.
Is the monkeypox vaccine safe for immunocompromised people?
Yes. The JYNNEOS vaccine is safe for people with weakened immune systems. People who are immunocompromised and who have been exposed to monkeypox, or are at high risk for getting monkeypox, may be eligible to receive the JYNNEOS vaccine, which is FDA-licensed and safe and effective for people who are immunocompromised, including transplant recipients, people with HIV, and those being treated for cancer, among others.
People who are immunocompromised should not receive the ACAM2000 vaccine because it contains live virus that can replicate.
If you are interested in receiving the JYNNEOS vaccine, please talk to your healthcare provider.
What treatments are available for monkeypox?
Currently, there are no treatments specifically for monkeypox, and most people who get monkeypox get better on their own without treatment and can recover at home.
Because monkeypox is similar to smallpox, antiviral medications and immune globulin to treat smallpox may be recommended to treat monkeypox in people who are more likely to get severely ill or who have more severe symptoms.
Transplant recipients and other immunosuppressed people are considered high priority for receiving antiviral medications if supplies are limited. Tecovirimat may affect the levels of other transplant medications, so if you are a transplant patient, your transplant care team will need to be involved in your monkeypox treatment.
If you have monkeypox, talk to your healthcare provider about your treatment options.