Mpox
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Mpox — also known as monkeypox — is a viral disease — but it’s not very infectious.
Mpox consultations and vaccinations at sexual health clinics (not Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa) are free.
Below is a list of sexual health clinics offering these free services.
Region Location name Address Contact information Te Tai Tokerau / National 123 Sexual Health Clinic (09) 438 6123 or freephone 0800 286 828 Auckland Auckland Sexual Health Services 0800 739 432 Waikato Waikato Sexual Health 0800 322 226 Bay of Plenty Whakatāne – The Doctors Phoenix Pyne St, Whakatāne 07 307 0586 Lakes, Tāupo, Rotorua Rotorua Sexual Health Clinic (Rangiora) Near the Ranolf Street entrance to Rotorua Hospital 0800 343 867 Taranaki The Sexual Health Clinic 188 Powderham Street, New Plymouth 0508 SEX HEALTH (0508 739 432) Tairāwhiti / Gisborne Gisborne Community Clinic 141 Bright Street, Gisborne 06 868 9005 Palmerston North, Manawatū Sexual Health Service at Te Whatu Ora MidCentral Clinics available weekly in Levin & Palmerston North, as needed in Dannevirke 0800 808 8602 Hawke's Bay Napier Health Centre 76 Wellesley Road 0800 229 949 Wellington, Porirua, Kāpiti, Hutt Valley & Wairarapa Wellington Sexual Health Service Cuba Street Clinic,
275 Cuba Street
Te Aro
Wellington City0800 188 881 Whanganui Whanganui Sexual Health Clinic – Thursday 4:45pm to 6pm Outpatients Department, Whanganui Hospital, 100 Heads Whanganui 021 323 077 Nelson Marlborough Nelson Sexual Health Clinic 281 Queen Street, Richmond, Nelson (03) 546 1537 West Coast, Canterbury & South Canterbury Christchurch Sexual Health Clinic 0800 188 881 Dunedin, Invercargill & Queenstown Sexual Health Clinics Dunedin, Invercargill & Queenstown 03 441 0500 -
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What is mpox?
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Mpox is a viral disease. It’s not very infectious. You are most likely to get infected if you have had close contact with someone from a country with a known mpox outbreak. Mpox doesn’t spread very easily from person to person.
When mpox does spread, it spreads through:
- Close body contact or sex
- Kissing
- Clothing, bedding, or towels
- Direct contact with mpox skin lesions or scabs
- Spit droplets spread by a person talking, breathing, coughing, or sneezing
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What are the symptoms of mpox?
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If you have mpox, you might notice these symptoms first:
- Headache
- Fever
- Chills
- Swelling under your armpits
- Achy muscles and body
- Backache
- Tiredness
After that, you might notice:
- A spreading rash
The mpox rash usually starts a few days after infection. It starts at the place of infection, and then spreads to other parts of the body.
You might get a rash on:
- The palms of your hands
- The soles of your feet
- Inside your mouth
- Your genitals or anus, or around your genitals or anus
If you are concerned you may have mpox, stay at home and call your GP, Healthline (0800 611 116) or you local Sexual Health Service.
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How is mpox tested for?
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If you think you may have been exposed to mpox or if you develop symptoms, you should stay home and seek medical advice. This is especially important if you have a rash.
Call your GP, Healthline (0800 611 116) or your Sexual Health clinic for more information.
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How do you protect yourself from mpox?
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Condoms, and oral dams are good protection against mpox — but they don’t necessarily prevent mpox transmission. This is because mpox can also be passed from person to through skin-to-skin contact, contact with a mypox case’s lesions, or contact with clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with mpox.
Health New Zealand has more information about mpox, and how to protect yourself from mpox.
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What do I need to do if I get mpox?
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If you have mpox symptoms, particularly a rash, you should isolate from others. Call your GP, Healthline (0800 611 116) or your local Sexual Health Service for advice.
Wear a mask. If you have a rash or blisters, make sure they are covered. It’s important to avoid close contact — including sex — until you get treatment from your nurse or doctor.
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