Mpox and People Living with HIV
Mpox in the U.S. and Around the World - Current Situation: There are two kinds of the virus that causes mpox, clade I and clade II. You can't tell which kind of mpox someone has by looking at them. There's an outbreak of clade I mpox in Central and Eastern Africa. Travel-associated cases of clade I mpox cases have also been reported elsewhere in the world. The first case of clade I mpox in the United States has been confirmed. The risk of clade I mpox to the public remains low. Clade II mpox is still circulating at low levels. CDC continues to recommend that people eligible for vaccination get both doses of the two-dose vaccine for the best protection. The vaccine is FDA approved for and expected to protect against both clades and all subclades of mpox.
Learn more: Read CDC’s situation summary on mpox in the United States and around the world.
Summary
- Mpox, a rare disease caused by infection with the mpox virus, can cause more serious illness in people living with advanced HIV (those who are immunocompromised).
- The 2‑dose JYNNEOS vaccine provides the best protection and is considered safe and effective for people living with HIV.
- CDC recommends mpox vaccination for people with certain risk factors. Talk with a health care provider if you think you may be at risk.
Mpox and HIV: What’s the Connection?
Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. This virus is part of the same family of viruses as the variola virus, which causes smallpox. Mpox and smallpox have similar symptoms, but mpox has milder symptoms, and it is rarely fatal. Mpox is not related to chickenpox.
According to CDC, researchers don’t know if having HIV increases your chances of getting mpox if you’re exposed to the mpox virus. However, they do know that people with advanced HIV (those who are immunocompromised) are more likely to be hospitalized and possibly die if they get mpox than people without HIV.
If you have HIV, you should follow the same recommendations as everyone else to protect yourself from mpox, including getting vaccinated.
If you have HIV, taking your HIV medication as prescribed and keeping an undetectable viral load are the best things you can do to stay healthy. Doing so also prevents you from sexually transmitting HIV to your HIV-negative partner. Learn more about how to live well with HIV.
Most people with mpox recover fully within 2 to 4 weeks without special medicines. There are ways to manage your symptoms. Read about what to do if you get sick.
- What about tecovirimat? Tecovirimat (TPOXX or ST-246) is an antiviral drug stockpiled for smallpox preparedness. Its use for treating infections caused by viruses related to the smallpox virus, including monkeypox virus, is investigational. Initial results from two randomized clinical trials found that this drug was safe but didn't reduce the time to resolution of mpox lesions. The findings from these clinical trials suggest that most people with mpox who do not have severe disease or risk factors for severe disease (e.g., severe immunocompromise) will recover with supportive care and pain management. However, the role of tecovirimat in the treatment of mpox in people who are severely immunocompromised, including those with advanced HIV, has not been determined and requires additional clinical trials. If you have advanced HIV (CD4 < 200 cells/mm3) or are otherwise severely immunocompromised, talk to your health care provider about whether you should consider tecovirimat. (Clinicians: Read more.)
If you don’t have HIV but have been prescribed pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV, keep taking your medicine as prescribed. PrEP and PEP are still effective even if you have mpox.
Mpox Vaccines: Two Doses Are Better Than One!
Vaccination is an important tool in keeping you healthy and stopping the spread of mpox.
JYNNEOS is a 2-dose vaccine developed to protect against mpox and smallpox. It is safe and effective for people living with HIV. Two doses of the vaccine provide the best protection against mpox. The second dose should be given 4 weeks after the first dose.
WATCHExit Disclaimer: Dancer and performer Dashaun Wesley joins the CDC Foundation to help spread the word about the mpox vaccine and how to keep communities safe.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
To learn more about mpox vaccines, risk factors, and who should get vaccinated, visit CDC’s mpox vaccination page. If you have HIV, talk to your health care provider to discuss if the mpox vaccine is right for you.
Get the Facts About Mpox and HIV
Looking for more information about mpox? It’s important to separate myths from facts.
Visit CDC’s mpox site for the latest information about mpox symptoms, how it spreads, prevention, vaccines, treatment, and more. Learn more about mpox and HIV.