All Checked Up
March 30, 2026
The Mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox virus, is a viral infection that is transmitted through close physical contact with Mpox blisters or scabs such as holding hands, sexual contact and kissing; or through infected surfaces or items such as bedding, towels or clothing. Mpox is similar to smallpox, although it is generally less severe.
Although it is generally rare in the UK, a new contagious new variant of Mpox has meant the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared it as a global emergency.
In this article, we’ll look at what the virus, its symptoms, how to protect yourself from getting Mpox and how to test for Mpox.
The first discovery of Mpox was back in 1958 when outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. The first reported human case was in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Prior to 2022, Mpox was rare and usually linked to travel or to animals being imported from regions where Mpox is endemic. However, in 2022, a global outbreak occurred.
MPox can be spread through:
Physical contact with an infected person (such as holding hands, sexual contact and kissing)
Breathing in a cough or sneeze of a person with Mpox when they’re close to you
Touching infected surfaces or items such as bedding, towels or clothing
It usually takes around 6-13 days for symptoms to occur (this is known as the incubation period), but it can range from 5-21 days.
There is generally two stages to symptoms, initial symptoms followed by a rash. Initial symptoms include:
After around 1-5 days from these initial symptoms a rash may develop, usually starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash evolves from macules to papules, vesicles, pustules, and finally crusts.
The rash often looks like that of chickenpox.
The symptoms usually clear up in a few weeks. While you have symptoms, you can pass Mpox on to other people.
While most cases of Mpox are not life-threatening and are generally mild and self-limiting, severe cases can occur, especially in young children, pregnant women, individuals with lower immune systems and those with a history of eczema.
As eczema weakens the skin barrier, it increases the risk of infection through the skin. As a result, people with eczema may be at an increased risk of contracting Mpox.
There are a number of ways in which you can reduce your chances of becoming infected with the Mpox virus.
MPox is diagnosed by taking a swab sample of one or more vesicles or ulcers and sending this off to a laboratory for testing. Samples can be taken at-home by taking a sample from an open sore or from the surface of a vesicle.
You can learn more about the Moneypox virus at the gov.uk website
More information
[1] https://www.who.int/health-topics/monkeypox
[2] https://www.icash.nhs.uk/contraception-sexual-health/monkeypox/monkeypox-vaccine
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/index.html
[4] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mpox/
[5] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/monkeypox
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