University Health Services is closely monitoring national trends of mpox cases and is in contact with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Anybody is at risk for mpox
We strongly encourage students to learn about mpox and take steps to protect themselves. Mpox is a viral infection primarily spread through prolonged close contact. It is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), and anybody can be at risk, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. The most common symptoms of mpox include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
Individuals usually heal on their own without medical treatment. However, individuals with underlying health conditions may experience a more severe case of mpox, if contracted.
University Health Services can test for mpox. Students who have symptoms of mpox should self-isolate and schedule an appointment through myUHS or call the 24/7 Advice Nurse at 814-865-4UHS (4847) and press 3.
The CDC recommends mpox vaccination if:
- You had known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox.
- You had a sex partner in the past 2 weeks who was diagnosed with mpox.
- You are a gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men or a transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse person who in the past 6 months has had any of the following:
- A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis).
- More than one sex partner.
- You have had any of the follow in the past 6 months:
- Sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse).
- Sex related to a large commercial event or in a geographic area (city or county for example) where mpox virus transmission is occurring.
- You have a sex partner with any of the above risks.
- You anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios.
- If you are traveling to a country with a clade I mpox outbreak and anticipate any of the following activities during travel, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation:
- Sex with a new partner.
- Sex at a commercial sex venue (e.g., a sex club or bathhouse).
- Sex in exchange for money, goods, drugs or other trade.
- Sex in association with a large public event (e.g., a rave, party, or festival).
- You are at risk for occupational exposure to orthopoxviruses (e.g., certain people who work in a laboratory or a healthcare facility).
You should NOT get the vaccine if:
- You had a severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis) after getting a previous dose of the JYNNEOS vaccine or to a vaccine component.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics gentamicin or ciprofloxacin, or chicken or egg protein.
The CDC currently is not encouraging vaccination against mpox for the broader public.
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According to the CDC, individuals with mpox typically get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals or anus and could be on other areas of the body, including the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. Other symptoms of mpox can include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches and backache, headache, and respiratory symptoms like a sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough.
Mpox often begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, a general feeling of discomfort, and exhaustion. Typically, within 1 to 3 days after the fever occurs, the patient develops a rash, often first on the face, but sometimes initially on other parts of the body.
Students who are concerned about their risk for contracting mpox, can contact University Health Services or their healthcare provider. Students who experience any harassment or feel targeted in any way can reach out to Student Affairs offices: Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity or Counseling and Psychological Services for support or make a report at http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias.
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Since mpox is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), condoms do not guard against it, and it can be spread outside of sexual interactions. It can be contracted by all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Mpox spreads through close or intimate contact with a person with mpox, direct contact with an infected animal, or contact with contaminated objects.
- A person can spread mpox from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed.
- We are still learning about the different ways mpox can spread.
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To protect against mpox, students and others should avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash. Other precautions include:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with mpox.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with mpox.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with mpox.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with mpox.
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Students who develop symptoms of mpox should schedule an appointment with University Health Services through myUHS or call the 24/7 Advice Nurse at 814-865-4UHS (4847) and press 3. Commonwealth Campus students should visit their healthcare provider for next steps and testing.
Students with an active rash or symptoms should self-isolate at home and stay in a separate room away from other people or pets when possible. Students who live on campus will be required to move into an isolation space. Since the isolation period can be up to four weeks, on-campus students should expect to make arrangements to complete their isolation at home. Student Affairs staff will work with individuals who are unable to travel. Because the mpox virus spreads through direct contact, faculty members will not be notified if a student in their class contracts the virus and must isolate. Students who must isolate are encouraged to discuss academic concerns with their individual instructor and/or academic advisors.
Anyone who may have been in contact with a person with a case of mpox should monitor their health closely, consider mpox vaccination, and contact University Health Services or their healthcare provider to schedule an appointment if symptoms appear.
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Yes! Visit myUHS to schedule an appointment.
If a student thinks they've been exposed to mpox or participated in activities that may have put them at risk of exposure, they should contact University Health Services or their healthcare provider to help evaluate their risk and direct them to the appropriate next steps.
Anyone who may have been in contact with a person with a case of mpox should monitor their health closely, consider mpox vaccination, and contact University Health Services to schedule an appointment if symptoms appear.
Students who are concerned about their risk for contracting mpox, can contact University Health Services or their healthcare provider.
Students who experience any related bias or harassment may submit a report to Report Bias. For individual support related to bias or harassment, students can reach out to Student Affairs offices: Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity or Counseling and Psychological Services.
Students are encouraged to discuss academic concerns with their individual instructor and/or academic advisors.
