Mpox Testing and Vaccination

Vaccination is an important tool in stopping the spread of Mpox.  

Where Can I Get Vaccinated?

Mpox vaccines are available at East Central District Health Department. Call (402) 562-7500 ext. 280 to make your appointment.

Symptoms

• Mpox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.
• A person with Mpox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
• People with Mpox often get a rash that may be located on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth or near the genitals, including penis, testicles, labia, and vagina, and anus.  The incubation period is 3-17 days. During this time, a person does not have symptoms and may feel fine.

Other symptoms of Mpox can include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Exhaustion
• Muscle aches and backache
• Headache
• Respiratory symptoms (e.g., sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

You may experience all or only a few symptoms

• Sometimes, people have flu-like symptoms before the rash.
• Some people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms.
• Others only experience a rash.

How Do You Get Mpox?

Mpox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:

• Direct contact with mpox rash and scabs from a person with mpox, as well as contact with their saliva, upper respiratory secretions (snot, mucus), and areas around the anus, rectum, or vagina.  This direct contact can happen during intimate contact, including:
  • Oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or touching the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus of a person with mpox
  • Hugging, massage, and kissing.
  • Prolonged face-to-face contact.
• Mpox virus can be spread to the fetus during pregnancy or to the newborn by close contact during and after birth.
• The risk is considered low for getting mpox by touching objects, fabrics, and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox and not disinfected, such as clothing, bedding, towels, fetish gear, or sex toys.

Mpox Prevention

• Stay up to date on your sexual health care
  • Visit your health care provider or find a health clinic to stay up to date with your sexual health care. Discuss the types of sex you have so that your provider can offer testing and prevention services, including vaccines, that are right for you.
• Talk with your partner about any mpox symptoms and be aware of any new or unexplained rash or lesion on either of your bodies, including the mouth, genitals (penis, testicles, vulva, or vagina), or anus (butthole). If you or your partner has or recently had mpox symptoms, or you have a new or unexplained rash anywhere on your body, do not have sex and see a healthcare provider. In some cases, symptoms may be mild, and some people may not even know they have Mpox.
• If you or a partner has mpox or think you may have mpox, the best way to protect yourself and others is to avoid sex of any kind (oral, anal, vaginal) and kissing or touching each other’s bodies—while you are sick. Especially avoid touching any rash. Do not share things like towels, fetish gear, sex toys, and toothbrushes.
• Get vaccinated! The JYNNEOS vaccine is approved for prevention of smallpox and mpox. It is the primary vaccine being used in the U.S. during this outbreak.
• Wash your hands often. 
  • 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.