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- Isolate until all lesions have resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed (usually 2-4 weeks).
- Stay home except as required for emergencies or follow-up medical care.
- If possible, use a separate bathroom if there are others who live in the same household.
- Wear a well-fitting mask or N95 (also called a respirator) if you need to be around other people in the home.
- Routinely clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces using an EPA-registered disinfectant.
- Wash hands with soap and water and use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Abstain from all sexual activity.
- Avoid close contact with other people and pets in the home.
- Avoid use of contact lenses to prevent spreading the infection to the eyes.
- Avoid shaving areas of the body with blisters or lesions to prevent spread of the virus.
What to do If you were just diagnosed with mpox:
If you are diagnosed with mpox, or an orthopox virus, avoid others (isolate) until your rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This includes:
- Avoiding sex or being intimate with anyone until all your sores have healed and you have a fresh layer of skin formed.
- Avoiding being in crowds.
- Avoiding contact with animals including pets, domestic animals, and wildlife.
- Rashes on the body should be covered with long sleeves or pants to avoid touching other people.
- If rashes can’t be easily covered, stay away from other people and pets as much as possible.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Wash surfaces and materials that you have touched while you had symptoms, including bedding, towels, clothing, sex toys, and surfaces such as door handles or counter tops. Standard household cleaning and disinfecting products may be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Additional Resources
Click the Image to Download the mpox Isolation Guidelines [PDF]