Scientists at CDC are tracking multiple cases of monkeypox that have been reported in several countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, including the United States. Monkeypox is a disease that can make you sick, including a characteristic rash, and people often, but not always, have an earlier flu-like illness. Anyone with a new rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their healthcare provider, even if they don’t think they had contact with someone who has monkeypox.

Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 5–21 days of exposure to the virus that causes monkeypox. The first symptoms might be like the flu, such as fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, or exhaustion. Some people may not have these initial symptoms. Within 1–5 days of these flu-like symptoms beginning, people develop a rash, lesions (bumps), or sores.

• The rash may be located on or near the genitals or anus but could also be on other areas of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, or face.
• The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
• The rash may be painful or itchy.
• The rash may be inside the body, including the mouth, vagina, or anus.

People with monkeypox may experience all or only a few of these symptoms, but most people will get the rash, lesions (bumps), or sores. Some people have reported developing the rash before (or without) the flu-like symptoms.