Mpox: Info for sex workers

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. While it usually causes a mild illness, it can be uncomfortable and comes with a rash that may be painful. Most people recover within a few weeks.

How Mpox Spreads

Mpox does not spread easily between people. It is primarily transmitted through prolonged physical or intimate (skin-to-skin) contact with someone who has mpox, especially if they have a rash, lesions, sores, or scabs.

It can also spread through:

• Contact with contaminated objects like bedding, towels, or clothing used by an infected person.

• Respiratory droplets (from coughing or sneezing) during prolonged face-to-face contact.

Mpox does not spread through casual contact. People are infectious from the time they develop their first symptoms until all lesions have crusted over, dried, and a new layer of skin has formed.

Symptoms of Mpox

Symptoms may develop up to 21 days after exposure to an infected person.

Common symptoms include:

• A rash, which may be painful and appear on the genitals, anus, buttocks, mouth, face, hands, arms, feet, or legs.

• Other symptoms, which can occur before or alongside the rash:

  • Fever and chills

  • Muscle aches

  • Swollen lymph nodes

  • Exhaustion

  • Headache

  • Sore throat

  • Anal and rectal pain

  • Pain during urination

If you develop symptoms, seek medical care and testing, and limit contact with others until you receive your test result.

Getting Vaccinated

The mpox vaccine is widely available in Victoria, and sex workers are eligible to get vaccinated without disclosing their sex worker status. You can simply tell the provider that you meet the eligibility criteria.

Where to Get Vaccinated:

• Thorne Harbour Health

• Melbourne Sexual Health Centre

• Prahran Market Clinic

• Northside Clinic

• Collins Street Medical Centre

• Sexual Health Victoria

• Community pharmacies

• Your local GP

Vaccination is free and anonymous for sex workers at sexual health clinics and health services.

Find more vaccination providers here: betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mpox-immunisation-providers

Prevention

• Vaccination: Two doses provide optimal protection, but no vaccine is 100% effective. Infections can still occur, though symptoms are usually milder.

• Avoid contact with anyone with suspected or confirmed mpox, including touching potentially contaminated materials like bedding or towels.

• Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

• Post-exposure vaccination: If you are unvaccinated (or have only had one dose) and have been exposed to mpox, getting a vaccine within four days of exposure may reduce your risk. Speak to your GP or sexual health clinic about vaccination options.

Want More Information?

• Read the full fact sheet: betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mpox

• Get in touch with Vixen for support and information.