Mpox

Symptoms of mpox typically include a fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash or lesions. Skin changes may appear on the face, hands, feet, mouth and/or in the genital or anus area (especially in cases where the infection was transmitted through sex).

The symptoms of mpox can be very diverse, and it can easily be confused with STIs. Mpox can have very mild symptoms. You should pay attention to skin changes, especially if you have recently had new sexual partners.

The typical incubation period is 6–13 days, but it can be up to 21 days. Symptoms typically last between 2 and 4 weeks and go away on their own without a treatment.

Mpox does not spread from one person to another very easily. Transmission requires close physical contact. Mpox can spread via close skin-to-skin contact during sex, including kissing, touching, oral and penetrative sex with someone who has symptoms.

The infection can be contracted through direct close contact with the skin changes of a sick person, for example through sexual contact as well as through droplets in a close face-to-face contact.

A condom protects against sexually transmitted infections, but against mpox it does not provide adequate protection. Clothing, bedding and towels that have been contaminated with the virus can also infect others.

There is a test for mpox. Mpox infection can be detected in laboratory tests of samples taken from skin changes using the gene amplification (PCR) method. In Finland, samples can be taken at healthcare services in any wellbeing services county.

It is important to note that the risk of mpox is not limited to men who have sex with men. Anyone who has close contact with someone who is infectious is at risk.

Having multiple casual sexual partners has been associated with an increased risk of mpox. However, given that the virus is being identified in these communities, learning about mpox will help ensure that as few people as possible are affected and that the outbreak can be stopped.

To prevent mpox, it is important to know how mpox spreads and what its symptoms are, so that you can get tested if necessary and avoid contact with others if you are infected.

Having multiple casual sexual partners has been associated with an increased risk of mpox. Mpox is known to spread at places and events where people have sex. If you wish to reduce the risk of mpox, you can consider reducing your sexual partners and consider avoiding places and events where people have sex.

It is good to know that the mpox situation in Finland is currently stable, while mpox is more common in many European countries. This is important to keep in mind when travelling abroad and after returning home. It is important to monitor your own and your partner’s symptoms and get tested if necessary.

A condom effectively protects against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, but against mpox it does not provide adequate protection. Good hand hygiene and coughing hygiene reduce the risk of infection.

If you identify a new rash anywhere on your body, seek medical advice by calling your healthcare provider. If you live in Helsinki University Hospital area (HUS), you can contact the Genital diseases outpatient clinic. In other wellbeing services counties, you can contact the local on-call service by calling the emergency medical helpline.

If mpox is transmitted through sexual contact the rash may first appear around the genitals or the anus. Avoid having close contact with anyone until the rash is completely gone.

• If possible, self-isolate and avoid close contact with others, unless advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.
• Ask your close contacts and sexual partners if they have had similar symptoms.
• If you notice a new rash on your partner’s body, including around the genitals and anus, talk with them and advise that they visit an STI clinic or consult a healthcare provider.

If your healthcare provider confirms you have mpox, follow their advice. Depending on the national recommendations, advice may include the following:

• Take a break from sex.
• Provide the health authorities with a list of events you have attended in the last 21 days so they can alert other community members who may have been infected.
• Share the details of your close and sexual contacts with health authorities or get in touch with them directly so they can be informed and can protect themselves and others.

Mpox usually heals on its own and treatment is based on the symptoms. If necessary, pain and inflammation caused by blisters can be treated with various analgesics or anesthetic ointments and gels.

New antiviral medicines may be used in selected cases to treat severe mpox. However, their availability is limited.

Mpox vaccination in Finland ended in September 2025.

The Jynneos vaccine provides protection against both mpox and smallpox.

Health authorities are monitoring the mpox situation. If the number of cases increases to epidemic levels, the authorities will consider purchasing vaccines and restarting the vaccination program.