Mpox is typically spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who is infected, as the infection presents as lumps on the skin. If you think you or your partner may have mpox, it is best to avoid skin contact until you have been tested and given the all clear.

Mpox can also spread through prolonged exposure to someone who is infected, sharing bedding and clothes, or in rare cases touching something an infected person has recently touched – though this also depends on how infectious they are.

Symptoms usually start within 5 days – 3 weeks from exposure, and typically include sores, rashes, bumps and pimples being reported around the genitals, rectum, mouth, and arms and legs.

Sores can present elsewhere, including inside the rectum and inside the mouth and throat, which can cause difficulty breathing, eating and swallowing.

The sores are flat and become raised over time, where they will then fill with fluid, scab, and fall off over the course of a few weeks. They can be very painful and cause scarring.

Additional symptoms include fevers, chills, muscle aches, backaches, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, and headaches.

Most people who are diagnosed with mpox will recover without any specific treatment. The illness is usually mild, and recovery takes a few weeks at home, however in some people the sores can be particularly painful.

Simple pain medications and keeping up with fluids can help to manage the symptoms, as can taking cool showers and maintaining good hygiene.

Antiviral medications can be used for people who are suffering extreme symptoms under the guidance of their doctor.

To prevent mpox, it is best to avoid skin-to-skin contact with people who may have been exposed, to check yourself regularly for sores, to limit the number of people you are having sex with, and to stay aware of outbreaks happening in the community.