**Yes. Mpox, the illness formerly called monkeypox, is contagious, and it spreads mainly through close, prolonged contact with the rash, scabs, or body fluids of someone who has it.**
Most transmission happens through direct skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, kissing, and hugging, rather than through brief time in the same room. Respiratory droplets can pass the virus during extended face-to-face contact, and objects such as bedding, towels, and clothing that touched the rash can carry it too. You can spread mpox from the time your first symptoms begin until every lesion has scabbed over, the scabs have fallen off, and a new layer of skin has formed underneath. Covering lesions with clothing or bandages, washing your hands often, using your own bedding and towels, and avoiding sex and other close contact until you have fully healed all lower the chance of passing it on. The JYNNEOS vaccine reduces your risk if you have been exposed or belong to a group at higher risk.
How mpox is transmitted
Common questions
is monkeypox contagious
Yes. Mpox spreads through direct contact with the rash, scabs, or body fluids of someone who is infected, including during sex, and through prolonged face-to-face contact with respiratory droplets. It can also pass through shared bedding, towels, or clothing that touched the rash, and from a pregnant person to the fetus. You are contagious from the time symptoms start until every lesion has scabbed, the scabs have fallen off, and fresh skin has formed underneath, which usually takes two to four weeks. The JYNNEOS vaccine lowers your risk after an exposure or if you are in a higher-risk group. Call a clinician about any new unexplained rash or sore so it can be tested.