🦠 Mpox — What It Is, How It Spreads, and What It Has to Do with Sexual Health

If you followed the news in 2022, you likely heard about mpox — then still widely known as monkeypox. What started as a relatively contained outbreak became a global health event that raised a lot of questions, some answered clearly and some not. For many people, particularly in the LGBT+ community, it also raised concerns that weren't always addressed with the accuracy or sensitivity they deserved.

Here's what the science actually says.

What is mpox?

Mpox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same family as smallpox. It was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it has been endemic for decades. Prior to 2022, cases outside of Africa were rare and typically linked to travel or animal contact.

The 2022 global outbreak changed that picture. Cases spread rapidly across multiple countries — primarily through close personal contact — in a pattern that was distinct from previous outbreaks and required a reassessment of how the virus was being transmitted.

How does mpox spread?

This is where clarity matters. Mpox is not classified as an STI in the traditional sense — it is not transmitted exclusively through sexual contact. However, the 2022 outbreak demonstrated clearly that it can spread efficiently through close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual activity.

The virus spreads through direct contact with mpox rashes, sores, or scabs. It can also spread through contact with bodily fluids, respiratory droplets during prolonged close contact, and contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing that have been in contact with an infected person's sores.

In the context of the 2022 outbreak, sexual contact — particularly among networks of men who have sex with men — was the primary transmission route identified. This doesn't mean mpox is exclusively an STI, or that it only affects any particular group. It means that the specific patterns of close physical contact involved in sexual activity created conditions for rapid spread within certain networks.

What are the symptoms?

Mpox typically begins with flu-like symptoms — fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Within a few days, a rash develops that progresses through several stages: flat spots, raised bumps, blisters, pustules, and finally scabs that fall off.

The rash can appear anywhere on the body — including the face, hands, chest, genitals, and around the mouth or anus. In the 2022 outbreak, genital and perianal lesions were particularly common, which contributed to the sexual health dimension of the outbreak.

Most people recover within 2–4 weeks. The infection can be more severe in people with weakened immune systems, and some cases have required hospitalisation.

Is there a test for mpox?

Yes. Mpox is diagnosed through PCR testing of samples taken from skin lesions — swabs from the rash or sores. If you have symptoms consistent with mpox, particularly a new unexplained rash, you should contact a healthcare provider rather than attempting to self-diagnose.

It's worth noting that mpox symptoms can resemble other conditions — including herpes, syphilis, and chickenpox. Professional diagnosis is essential to distinguish between them accurately.

Is there a vaccine?

Yes. The JYNNEOS vaccine (also known as Imvamune or Imvanex) is effective against mpox and was used extensively during the 2022 outbreak. It is typically given as a two-dose course and is recommended for people at higher risk of exposure — including sexually active gay and bisexual men and others with multiple partners.

Vaccination availability varies by country. In many places, it can be accessed through sexual health clinics or public health programmes. If you're unsure whether vaccination is relevant for you, a healthcare provider can advise based on your specific situation.

What about treatment?

Most mpox infections resolve on their own with supportive care — rest, pain management, and keeping sores clean and covered. An antiviral medication called tecovirimat (TPOXX) has been used in more severe cases, though its availability varies by country and it is not routinely prescribed for mild infections.

The stigma problem

The 2022 outbreak was accompanied by a significant amount of stigma — much of it directed at gay and bisexual men, who were disproportionately affected in that particular outbreak. It's important to separate epidemiological reality from stigma.

The fact that mpox spread rapidly through specific sexual networks in 2022 is a public health observation, not a moral judgment. Mpox can affect anyone who comes into close contact with an infected person. Framing it as a disease of any particular group is both inaccurate and harmful — it discourages the people who most need health information from seeking it.

For the LGBT+ community, the 2022 outbreak was a reminder that access to accurate, non-judgmental health information matters enormously — and that stigma is itself a public health problem.

Where does regular STI testing fit in?

Mpox is not part of a standard STI screen — it requires specific testing from lesions when symptoms are present. However, regular sexual health testing remains relevant for anyone who is sexually active, because the conditions that increase exposure to mpox — multiple partners, close physical contact — also increase exposure to other STIs that can be detected and treated through routine screening.

CLEAR's comprehensive at-home STI testing covers the infections that can be screened for through sample collection — including HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and herpes. For mpox specifically, if you have symptoms, the right step is to contact a healthcare provider directly.

🔗 Learn more about CLEAR's testing options via the link in Bio.

Bottom line

Mpox is a viral infection that can spread through close physical contact, including sexual contact. It's not exclusively an STI, and it's not exclusive to any group. The 2022 outbreak brought it into the sexual health conversation in a way that requires clear, accurate information — and a conscious effort to separate facts from stigma.

Vaccination is available. Testing exists. And accurate information is the starting point for all of it. 🤍

The information in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical guidance.