Monkeypox – NHS

Monkeypox is a rare infection most commonly found in west or central Africa. There has recently been an increase in cases in the UK, but the risk of catching it is low.

Monkeypox can be passed on from person to person through:

In parts of west and central Africa, monkeypox can also be caught from infected rodents (such as rats, mice and squirrels) if:

Although more people have been diagnosed with it recently, only a small number of people in the UK have had monkeypox and the risk remains low.

You're extremely unlikely to have monkeypox if:

Anyone can get monkeypox.

Currently most cases have been in men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men, so it's particularly important to be aware of the symptoms if you're in these groups.

If you get infected with monkeypox, it usually takes between 5 and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear.

The first symptoms of monkeypox include:

A rash usually appears 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms. The rash often begins on the face, then spreads to other parts of the body. This can include the mouth, genitals and anus.

You may also have anal pain or bleeding from your bottom.

The rash is sometimes confused with chickenpox. It starts as raised spots, which turn into small blisters filled with fluid. These blisters eventually form scabs which later fall off.

The symptoms usually clear up in a few weeks. While you have symptoms, you can pass monkeypox on to other people.

Urgent advice: Call a sexual health clinic if:

You have a rash with blisters, anal pain or bleeding from your bottom and have either:

Stay at home and avoid close contact with other people, including sharing towels or bedding, until you've been told what to do.

Call the clinic before visiting.

Tell the person you speak to if you've had close contact with someone who has or might have monkeypox, or if you've recently travelled to central or west Africa.

Stay at home and call 111 for advice if you're not able to contact a sexual health clinic.

Non-urgent advice: Call a GP if:

A child has a rash with blisters and has either:

They should stay at home and avoid close contact with other people, including sharing towels or bedding, until you've been told what to do.

Call the GP surgery before visiting.

Tell the person you speak to if the child had close contact with someone who has or might have monkeypox, or if they've recently travelled to central or west Africa.

Stay at home and call 111 for advice if you're not able to contact a GP.

NHS 111 can tell you what to do if you have a rash but:

Get advice about your symptoms from 111 online

Monkeypox is usually mild and most people recover within a few weeks without treatment.

But, if your symptoms are more severe and you become unwell, you may need treatment in hospital.

The risk of needing treatment in hospital is higher for:

Because the infection can be passed on through close contact, it's important to isolate if you're diagnosed with it.

You may be asked to isolate at home if your symptoms are mild.

GOV.UK has further advice for people infected with Monkeypox who are isolating at home

Monkeypox is caused by a similar virus to smallpox. The smallpox (MVA) vaccine should give a good level of protection against monkeypox.

The NHS is offering the smallpox (MVA) vaccine to people who are most likely to be exposed to monkeypox.

People who are most likely to be exposed include:

Health care workers will usually be offered 2 doses of the vaccine.

Men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men will be offered 2 doses of the vaccine. The 2nd dose will be offered from 2 to 3 months after the 1st dose. Your local NHS services will contact you when you can get your 2nd dose.

Your local NHS services may contact you and offer you a vaccine if you are at risk of exposure.

You may also be offered the vaccine alongside other appointments, for example for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

If you are gay, bisexual or a man who has sex with other men, you can also get the smallpox vaccine from a vaccination site.

If none of the monkeypox vaccination sites are open or suitable for you, contact a sexual health clinic.

Although monkeypox is rare, there are things you can do to reduce your chance of getting it and passing it on.

wash your hands with soap and water regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser

talk to sexual partners about their sexual health and any symptoms they may have

be aware of the symptoms of monkeypox if you are sexually active, especially if you have new sexual partners

take a break from sex and intimate contact if you have symptoms of monkeypox until you get seen by a doctor and told you are no longer at risk of passing it on

do not share bedding or towels with people who may have monkeypox

do not have close contact (within 1 metre) with people who may have monkeypox

do not go near wild or stray animals, including animals that appear unwell or are dead, while travelling in west and central Africa

do not eat or touch meat from wild animals while travelling in west and central Africa

Page last reviewed: 20 October 2022Next review due: 25 April 2025

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Monkeypox - NHS