Mpox

All STDs

What is mpox?

  • Mpox is a virus. It was previously called monkeypox
  • Mpox spreads via skin-on-skin contact, for instance during sex
  • Symptoms include fever, headache and muscle pains. After that, you can get painful sores and sometimes rectal inflammation
  • Condoms may prevent severe symptoms
  • You can get vaccinated to reduce the risk of mpox and severe symptoms

Vaccination against mpox

Vaccination against mpox

You can now get a free vaccination against mpox at your local GGD. The vaccination is intended for people at risk of getting mpox. Check to see if that applies to you!

Vaccination against mpox

Mpox in 2025

Mpox in 2025

A new variant of mpox is active in African countries. There have been a few cases with this variant in some European countries and in the US. In the Netherlands, there have been 7 known case since October. For the current situation regarding mpox in the Netherlands, visit the website of the RIVM.

Have you not yet been vaccinated? Get your vaccination at the GGD. The vaccinations against mpox and the old smallpox virus are also likely to be effective against this new variant. If you have had mpox in the past, the chance of becoming seriously ill from this new variant of mpox is very small.

Do you have mpox? Read what you should do

Symptoms

Symptoms of mpox

Most people do not have a lot of complaints from mpox. Some people get serious complaints.

If you have mpox, the first symptoms you might notice are:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Tiredness
  • Often: rectal pain or inflammation (proctitis)

These symptoms will appear between 5 and 21 days after infection.

Skin rash

After a couple of days, you will get a skin rash. Most men who are now have mpox have a rash around their anus and penis

  • The rash starts with spots. Which turn into blisters
  • In the beginning, these can look just like common pimples
  • Fluid can come out of the blisters
  • The blisters can be itchy and painful
  • After the blisters dry up, they leave scabs behind, which will eventually fall off your skin. This can take up to 4 weeks. This can leave you scars

Attention!

Below are a few examples of skin rashes from monkeypox. It can also look different.

Do you have a suspicious skin rash? Always ask your doctor for advice.

monkeypox-apenpokken-soa-aids-nederland
This is what mpox can look like.
Voorbeelden van monkeypox
More examples of what mpox can look like

Infectiousness

It mostly takes 3-4 weeks before the symptoms pass completely. Until you have symptoms, you can pass on the virus. Wait until the dried-up scabs have fallen off of your skin by themselves, and do not have sex until all the scabs have fallen off.

Not dangerous

For most people, the virus does not seem very dangerous. It can be painful. It can only be deadly for people with a very weak immune system.

Treatment

Mpox will heal on its own after a couple of weeks. There is also medication that can help you heal and numb the pain. Once cured from mpox, you are protected against the virus for an unknown amount of time. There are stories of people who have gotten an mpox diagnosis a second time, after they had healed from their first case.

How do you get it?

How do you get mpox?

You can get the virus without having sex. You can get mpox when you have intense contact with someone who has the virus. You can get it:

  • During sex
  • When you kiss
  • Touching eachother for a long time, for instance hugging
  • If you are using the clothes or bed sheets from someone who has the virus
  • Via surfaces, if there is active virus on it

Even if you have already had mpox or have been vaccinated, you can still get mpox again. It doesn't happen often, and the symptoms are often less severe.

You have had mpox.

If you have recovered from mpox, chances are slim that you will contract this virus again. Or that you will get serious complaints from it. There are a few cases of people who have contracted mpox again after an initial diagnosis. So, even though it doesn't happen often, it is important for you to reduce the risk of getting mpox.

You have been vaccinated against mpox

If you have been vaccinated, you are protected against the virus: your chance of contracting the virus is smaller and if you do get it, your chances of serious complaints are smaller. You also reduce the risk of passing mpox onto others. However, you are never completely protected. So, it is still important for you to reduce the risk of getting mpox.

Reduce the risk

How to prevent getting mpox during sex

Watch out for symptoms

Do not have sex:

  • When you have symptoms that could be mpox
  • When you have been close to someone who has told you they (might) have mpox
  • When someone has told this to the person you want to have sex with
  • If you feel sick (such as fever)

If you do get symptoms, get tested. If you get a warning, but you do not have any symptoms, please wait to have sex for 21 days. Counting from the moment that you had sex with the person who has mpox.

Use condoms

Condoms cannot prevent getting mpox. Still, our advice is to use condoms. A condom can help protect skin that is thin and moist, such as your penis, mouth and anus. Symptoms are often more serious in those spots. By using condoms, you might reduce the chance of getting anal inflammation from mpox.

Avoid sperm

We are not sure yet if you can get mpox via sperm. It is also unclear yet until when exactly you can pass on the virus. Did you have monkeypox? Use condoms for 5 weeks when you have sex. As long as it is unclear whether mpox can be passed on via sperm, make sure you don't get cum in your anus or mouth. 

Do not shave

Mpox are more easily transmitted through cracks in the skin. If you shave your balls, butt, or other body parts, small cracks form in the skin that allow the virus to enter more easily. It takes about a day for these cracks to close again. Therefore, don't shave on the day you have sex, but a few days before. If you usually have sex on the weekend, you could shave every Wednesday. This also reduces the risk of syphilis and hepatitis C!

Cleaning

Mpox virus can stay active outside the body for 24 hours. This means that you could get mpox when your sex partner does not have them. For instance via a sling or toy that has been used by others before. This is not very likely to happen.

You can reduce your risk for mpox by carefully disinfecting. At NoMoreC.nl (a website about hepatitis C), you can read how you do this. The disinfectants that work against hepatitis C also work against mpox.
Examples of stuff you need to clean and disinfect are:

  • Dildo’s and other sex toys
  • Slings and other surfaces on which you have sex
  • Bedding and clothing

Mpox test

Testing for mpox

You can only be sure you have mpox by doing a test

When should you get tested for mpox?

When you have symptoms of mpox. Call your GGD or GP to discuss whether you need a test. Never just go to your doctor without an appointment and never make an appointment for a regular STD test! If you already have an appointment for a regular STD test and you get blisters, call your doctor or GGD first to discuss this.

Where can you get tested?

You can get tested for mpox at the GGD. You can also first contact your GP. They won't do the test themselves, but they can see if a test is necessary. Testing for mpox is free.

How is an mpox test done?

A test is done like this:

  • The doctor examines the spots on your body
  • Could it be mpox? If so, the doctor will take some moisture samples from the spots
  • The doctor will send the samples to a lab
  • The lab can determine whether you have mpox
  • You will get the results after a few days

Do not have sex until you have the results.

F.A.Q.

Frequently asked questions about mpox

  • There are currently very few cases of mpox in the Netherlands, about 15 infections found per month. However, the virus has not completely disappeared. It is important to remain vigilant. The new variant of mpox (1b) is also being found in the Netherlands since October 2025.

    If you are vaccinated, the likelihood of getting mpox is reduced, but it can still occur. The same applies if you have had mpox before. Therefore, continue to watch for symptoms.

    When you have the virus, it is important not to have sexual contact and to cover the scabs on your skin before meeting other people. This can be done with clothing or bandages. The scabs can also transmit mpox.

    • If you cover them properly, you do not need to isolate.
    • If you cannot cover the scabs, isolate yourself and wait until the scabs have fallen off before going outside. Also, do not receive visitors at home.
    • You can find more isolation guidelines for mpox on the RIVM website.

  • Little is known for certain about the new variant of mpox (1b) compared to the old variant (2b). So far, based on the few European infections that are currently known, there appears to be little difference. The new variant is probably no worse or more contagious than the old variant, and vaccination or having had the disease work equally well against severe illness from mpox.

    If more people in Europe contract the b1 variant, differences may become apparent.

  • Yes, you can get vaccinated against mpox for free at the GGD. The vaccination consists of two shots. It works against both the old and newer variants of mpox.

    Arrange your vaccination

  • In principle, everyone can contract the virus, but the risk is higher if you:

    • Are a man who has sex with men
    • Have more than 10 sexual partners in six months.
    • Visit sex venues or attend sex parties.
    • Participate in orgies/group sex
    • Use PrEP and have multiple sexual contacts.
    • Have HIV and engage in multiple sexual contacts.

  • In western countries, the mpox virus is mostly found as an STI among men who have sex with men. But anyone could get the virus. You can get infected when you are in close contact with someone who is infected. It makes no difference if you are gay, straight, man or woman.

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