This fact sheet is for people who have been diagnosed with mpox and who have been advised to self-isolate at home.
Symptoms can begin 7-14 days after exposure but can start earlier or take as long as 21 days to develop.
Some people get early symptoms such as:
Usual symptoms include
People with mpox are infectious from when they first get symptoms until all the lesions have crusted, the scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed underneath.
Most people with mpox get better within a few weeks without requiring any specific treatment.
Mpox can spread through:
Your local public health unit (PHU) will interview you to help stop the spread of mpox. With your permission, the PHU will follow-up with anyone you may have been in contact with while infectious. They will try to find out where you may have caught the infection.
You may be asked to stay at home and self-isolate to minimise the risk of spreading mpox to other people.
Your doctor or a sexual health clinician will manage your health while you have mpox. Treatment may include pain relief, wound care, and rarely medication to treat mpox or secondary bacterial infections. The doctor will let you know who to call if you need help on weekends or out-of-hours.
If your symptoms get worse or in an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) right away and say you have mpox. Wear a surgical mask if you will be around other people. This includes while in an ambulance, hospital or GP clinic.
Self-isolation helps reduce the spread of mpox by staying away from others.
If you have mpox and need to self-isolate, you should:
The PHU or your doctor will tell you when you are no longer infectious. After this, you can do your normal activities but you should:
It is important to take care of your mind as well as your body. Stay in touch with family and friends virtually and reach our for help or support if you ever need it.
If you have had mpox before, you do not need to get a mpox vaccine at this time. However, you should still protect yourself so you do not get mpox again. Learn more about how to stay safe in the mpox fact sheet.
Visit the NSW Health mpox fact sheet for further information. You can also call your local PHU on 1300 066 055.
For free help in your language, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.