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Viral STI Curable

Mpox testing

Mpox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, which spreads mainly through close skin-to-skin contact — including intimate and sexual contact. Since 2022, a global outbreak driven by the clade II strain has affected mostly men who have sex with men, often showing up as a painful rash in the genital or anal area. Most people recover fully within a few weeks, but it can be serious in people who are immunocompromised. If you have an unexplained rash or a known exposure, a simple lesion swab can confirm the diagnosis, and a vaccine is available for people at increased risk.

Pathogen
Monkeypox virus
Orthopoxvirus family (related to smallpox)
Curable
Self-limiting
Most recover with supportive care
Incubation
3–17 days
Usually sick within 21 days of contact
Illness duration
2–4 weeks
Typically resolves on its own

Where to get tested

Find mpox testing near you

Choose your test and enter your city — we'll take you straight to local mpox testing: nearby clinics and labs, prices, hours and county rates.

Test from home

At-home STD testing in the U.S.

if you'd rather skip the trip, an at-home kit ships to the U.S., you collect the sample privately, and mail it back to a CLIA-certified lab. Results come online in days, with a clinician available if anything is positive. Same labs as a clinic, no waiting room — and you can read how accurate at-home STD tests are before you order.

Want a free option first? The CDC-supported TakeMeHome program mails free at-home HIV self-test kits — and, in many areas, free STI kits — to your door, with no insurance or payment needed. The paid kits below add broader panels and faster turnaround.

  • Best range — couples & full panels

    myLAB Box

    $79 & up

    Screens for:
    Up to 14 infections — incl. HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis & herpes
    Sample:
    Self-collect: swab, urine, finger-prick
    Results:
    2–5 days, online
    • Free phone consult if positive
    • CLIA-certified labs
    • Couples & subscription options
    • Discreet packaging
    Order online myLAB Box review

  • Best for simplicity & support

    LetsGetChecked

    $89 & up

    Screens for:
    5–6 common STIs incl. chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis & trichomoniasis
    Sample:
    Finger-prick + urine/swab
    Results:
    2–5 days, online
    • 24/7 nurse support
    • Prescription for positives
    • CLIA-certified labs
    • Free shipping both ways
    Order online LetsGetChecked review

  • Best value — single tests

    Everlywell

    $49 & up

    Screens for:
    Chlamydia & gonorrhea, up to a 6-test panel adding HIV, syphilis, trichomoniasis & hep C
    Sample:
    Finger-prick + swab
    Results:
    Days, online
    • Telehealth visit if positive
    • CLIA-certified labs
    • HSA/FSA eligible
    • Subscription savings
    Order online Everlywell review

Every kit uses CLIA-certified labs. At-home testing is for screening; a reactive result should be confirmed and treated by a clinician. Prices and panels shown are illustrative and change often — confirm current details on the provider's site.

Understanding mpox

What is mpox?

Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same Orthopoxvirus family as smallpox. The clade II strain drove the global outbreak that began in 2022, which spread primarily through close skin-to-skin contact — including intimate and sexual contact — and affected mostly men who have sex with men.

The hallmark of mpox is a rash that can look like pimples or blisters, often painful or itchy, that may appear on the hands, feet, face, mouth, genitals, or anus. During the recent outbreak, lesions frequently appeared in the genital or anal area or the mouth, which is one reason mpox is often grouped with sexually transmitted infections even though it is not exclusively spread through sex.

Most people recover fully without lasting harm, but mpox can be severe in people who are immunocompromised — especially those with advanced HIV. Because the infection is self-limiting in most cases, treatment focuses on supportive care, with antiviral therapy reserved for people with severe disease or high risk of complications.

Mpox is confirmed by detecting mpox virus DNA using a PCR test on a swab taken from a suspected lesion. Because the rash can mimic other conditions, lab confirmation is important. A two-dose vaccine, JYNNEOS, is recommended for people at increased risk and is a cornerstone of prevention.

Screening guidance

Who should get tested for mpox?

Because mpox is usually silent, the CDC and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend routine screening for the groups most likely to have it — not just people with symptoms.

  1. 1

    Anyone with an unexplained rash

    If you develop a new rash that looks like pimples or blisters — especially in the genital or anal area, mouth, or elsewhere — get evaluated, even without other symptoms.

  2. 2

    People with a known mpox exposure

    If you've had close or intimate contact with someone diagnosed with mpox, watch for symptoms and seek testing if a rash appears.

  3. 3

    Men who have sex with men

    This group was most affected during the 2022 outbreak. Any new genital, anal, or oral lesions warrant prompt evaluation.

  4. 4

    People who are immunocompromised

    Those with advanced HIV or other immune-weakening conditions face higher risk of severe disease and should test early if symptoms develop.

  5. 5

    Anyone with rash plus systemic symptoms

    A rash accompanied by fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, or exhaustion after recent close contact should be checked.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of mpox?

Mpox almost always produces a visible rash, which is the defining feature of the illness. Some people develop the rash with no warning prodrome of fever or other symptoms beforehand. Symptoms usually appear within 21 days of contact, with an incubation period of 3–17 days. The illness typically lasts 2–4 weeks. That's exactly why testing matters — you can have it, pass it on, and never feel a thing.

Rash and skin signs

  • A rash that can look like pimples or blisters
  • Lesions are often painful or itchy
  • Can appear on the hands, feet, and face
  • Frequently appears in the genital or anal area or the mouth
  • Some people get the rash with no warning prodrome

Systemic symptoms

  • Fever
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Muscle aches
  • Exhaustion
  • Respiratory symptoms

Because lesions often appear in the genital or anal area or the mouth, mpox can be mistaken for other sexually transmitted infections. A lesion swab tested by PCR confirms the diagnosis.

Left untreated

Why mpox is worth catching early

Treated early, mpox clears with antibiotics and causes no lasting harm. Left untreated, it can climb into the reproductive tract and beyond:

Eye infections

In immunocompromised people — especially those with advanced HIV — mpox can cause eye infections that may threaten vision.

Neurologic complications

Severe mpox can lead to neurologic complications in people with weakened immune systems.

Heart inflammation

Inflammation of the heart has been reported as a complication, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Life-threatening disease

In people with advanced HIV, mpox can become life-threatening, which is why early evaluation and antiviral access matter for high-risk patients.

U.S. data

How common is mpox in the U.S.?

The 2022 outbreak affected mostly men who have sex with men, spreading primarily through close skin-to-skin and intimate contact.

Clade II
strain behind the 2022 global outbreak

Where you test and what it costs vary by location — see the by-location links below for mpox testing where you live. Source: CDC — About Mpox.

How testing works

How a mpox test works

Mpox is detected with a nucleic-acid amplification test (NAAT) — the most accurate method — on a urine sample or a swab. You can do it at a lab, a clinic, or at home.

When to test

Test as soon as a suspected rash develops; people usually become ill within 21 days of contact (incubation 3–17 days).

After treatment

Diagnosis relies on a visible lesion to swab — there is no standard blood test used for routine confirmation.

Lesion swab PCR Most accurate
Sample
Swab of a suspected lesion
Results
Varies by lab

Detects mpox virus DNA; the standard for confirmation.

What it costs: Varies by clinic and lab. Public health departments may offer evaluation and testing during outbreaks. Coverage varies; check with your provider.

If your result is positive

How is mpox treated?

Most people without severe disease recover with supportive care and pain management. Antiviral therapy is reserved for severe disease or people at high risk of complications.

Treat partners

People with mpox should avoid close, skin-to-skin, and intimate contact until lesions have fully healed to prevent spreading the virus to partners.

In pregnancy

Mpox can pass from a pregnant person to the fetus; pregnant individuals with possible exposure or symptoms should seek prompt medical evaluation.

Re-test after treatment

Diagnosis is confirmed by lesion PCR; follow your clinician's guidance on monitoring until the rash resolves.

Treatment & online care

Prevention

How to prevent mpox

  • Get the JYNNEOS vaccine

    The two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine is recommended for people at increased risk. The second dose is given 28 days after the first.

  • Avoid contact with rashes

    Avoid skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has a rash that could be mpox.

  • Use condoms — but know the limits

    Condoms reduce but don't eliminate risk, because the rash can be on other parts of the body and infectious respiratory secretions may be present.

Who is most at risk

Who is most at risk for mpox?

Anyone who is sexually active can contract mpox, but certain groups face significantly higher risk — and should test more frequently.

Men who have sex with men
This group was disproportionately affected during the 2022 clade II outbreak, largely through close skin-to-skin and sexual contact.
People with multiple or new intimate partners
Close skin-to-skin and intimate contact is a primary route of spread, so frequent new contacts increase exposure risk.
People with advanced HIV
Immunocompromised individuals, especially those with advanced HIV, face a higher risk of severe and potentially life-threatening mpox.

Why it matters

Why STD testing matters

Find mpox testing
  • Early diagnosis lets you isolate and avoid spreading mpox to partners and household members.
  • A simple lesion swab confirms whether a rash is mpox or another condition.
  • People at high risk — like those with advanced HIV — can be considered for antiviral therapy.
  • Confirming mpox connects you to supportive care and pain management while you recover.
  • Knowing your status helps direct close contacts toward vaccination and monitoring.

Browse by location

Mpox testing by state & city

Jump to local mpox testing — clinics and labs, prices and county rates — in your state or a popular city, or explore another test.

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Living with mpox

Questions to ask your provider about mpox

Mpox is common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of — millions of Americans are diagnosed every year. The most useful next step after a positive result (or before a first test) is a direct conversation with a clinician. Here are the questions that matter most:

  • Is my mpox test result definitive, or do I need a confirmatory test?
  • What treatment options are available to me, and how long until I'm no longer contagious?
  • Should I notify my recent partners, and can your office help me do that confidentially?
  • How soon can I re-test to confirm the infection has cleared?
  • Are there other STIs I should test for at the same visit?
  • Can this affect my fertility, pregnancy, or long-term health if left untreated?

Good to Know

Mpox testing FAQs

Common questions about mpox and mpox testing, answered.

Is mpox a sexually transmitted infection?

Mpox spreads through close contact, including intimate and sexual contact, which is why it's often discussed alongside STIs. However, it can also spread through contact with contaminated materials, infected animals, and from a pregnant person to the fetus — so it isn't exclusively sexually transmitted.

How is mpox diagnosed?

Mpox is confirmed by detecting mpox virus DNA using a PCR test on a swab taken from a suspected lesion. Because the rash can be visible, a lesion is needed to collect the sample.

What does the mpox rash look like?

The rash can look like pimples or blisters and is often painful or itchy. It may appear on the hands, feet, face, mouth, genitals, or anus, and during the recent outbreak it frequently showed up in the genital or anal area or the mouth.

How long after exposure do mpox symptoms appear?

The incubation period is 3–17 days, and people usually get sick within 21 days of contact. The illness itself typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks.

Is mpox curable?

Most people without severe disease recover fully with supportive care and pain management. The antiviral tecovirimat (TPOXX) is considered for severe disease or those at high risk, such as people with advanced HIV.

Do condoms prevent mpox?

Condoms alone are probably not enough, because the mpox rash can be on other parts of the body and infectious respiratory secretions may be present. Condoms reduce but don't eliminate the risk.

Is there a vaccine for mpox?

Yes. The two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine is recommended for people at increased risk, with the second dose given 28 days after the first.

Who is at risk of severe mpox?

Immunocompromised people — especially those with advanced HIV — can develop severe complications such as eye infections, neurologic complications, and heart inflammation, and mpox can be life-threatening in these individuals.

Editorial standards

Medically reviewed · Updated

Reviewed by Dr. Amara Okafor, MD, MPH · Infectious Disease & Epidemiology

Board-certified in infectious disease with a focus on STI epidemiology and public-health screening programs. Leads testing, diagnosis and the data-driven 'state of STDs' reporting.

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