Current Health Topics

Useful links for Prevention, Vaccination, and Treatment Information of Mpox

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH)
• Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Mpox Guidance and Resources

Mpox Symptoms and Spread

• Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a rash resembling pimples or blisters anywhere on the body. 
• Spread of infection occurs through direct skin-to-skin contact (sexual/intimate contact, including kissing). At the same time, a person is infected, through prolonged face-to-face interaction, or by contact with an infected individual’s clothing, bedding, towels, or other contaminated objects.

Mpox Exposure

If you have had contact with a person diagnosed with mpox, please follow specific guidance from your healthcare provider and local public health department.

• Employees and non-residential students should notify their PCP of their exposure. 
• Tufts School of Dental Medicine students and employees who work in a clinic, please report any workplace exposure to Tufts Occupational Health Services at 617-627-6500. 
• Tufts School of Medicine third- and fourth-year students should report workplace exposures to their clerkship director. 
• Faculty/staff/employees should report any workplace exposure to Tufts Occupational Health Services at 617-627-6500.   

For Students and Employees Working in Clinical Settings

When caring for patients with suspected or diagnosed mpox, please follow local clinical and hospital infection control policies. Any workplace exposure should be reported to the local infection control officer.

If You Experience Symptoms

Please isolate yourself from others immediately and do not report to work or school until you are evaluated and cleared to do so by a healthcare professional.

If You Are Diagnosed With Mpox

• You must isolate yourself and should not attend work, classes, or other in-person activities.
• Discuss possible treatment options and the duration of isolation with your healthcare provider.

Missing School or Work

If you need to miss school or work due to illness or isolation, we encourage you to take good care of yourself, your health, and your well-being.

You do not need to disclose your diagnosis to your instructors or supervisors.

Faculty, Staff, and Students:

• Communicate with your manager that you will miss work.
• Contact Marathon Health (Jumbo Health) at 617-627-0467.