Quick Answer: Monkeypox isn’t classified as a sexually transmitted infection, but it can spread through intimate contact, including sex. The rash it causes can closely mimic herpes, syphilis, or even ingrown hairs. If you notice unusual blisters or sores, especially alongside fever or swollen lymph nodes, get tested for both STIs and monkeypox.
Why It’s So Confusing Right Now
In the past, monkeypox was rare in most countries. But recent outbreaks, especially those linked to close-contact transmission during sex, have flipped the script. Suddenly, clinicians started seeing patients who thought they had genital herpes, only to discover it was monkeypox.
So what’s changed?
- Monkeypox lesions can appear in the genital and anal areas, not just the hands, feet, or face.
- It often spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, and yes, that includes sex.
- It mimics other STDs in appearance: small blisters, ulcers, and scabs.
Now people are showing up with sores, getting negative STD results, and still not having answers. That’s where monkeypox testing, and awareness, comes in.
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Symptoms of Monkeypox (That Look a Lot Like STDs)
Here’s what makes monkeypox so sneaky: its most visible signs, sores, blisters, rashes, are also exactly what you'd expect from an STI. It can fool you (and sometimes your doctor) into thinking it’s something else entirely.
Monkeypox symptoms that overlap with STDs:
- Blisters or pustules around the genitals, anus, or mouth
- Rash that starts flat and becomes raised or fluid-filled
- Painful sores or ulcers
- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin or neck
- Fever, chills, fatigue, like the flu with a skin reaction
Notice how similar that sounds to herpes? Or even syphilis? That’s the trap. Monkeypox often starts with general symptoms like fever and body aches, then the skin symptoms follow, sometimes in the exact same places STDs show up.
Comparison Snapshot: Monkeypox vs. Common STDs
| Condition | Type of Lesions | Other Symptoms | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monkeypox | Blisters/pustules that scab over | Fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes | Spreads beyond genitals; flu-like start |
| Herpes (HSV-1/2) | Small painful blisters/ulcers | Tingling, itching before outbreak | No systemic symptoms in most cases |
| Syphilis | Painless sore (chancre) | May develop rash later in other areas | Initial sore is often unnoticed |
| Genital Warts (HPV) | Flesh-colored bumps, not blisters | Usually no pain or illness | Slow-growing; don’t crust/scab |
Table 1. How monkeypox blisters compare to common STI symptoms.
If your symptoms feel "off" from your usual outbreaks, or you’ve tested negative for herpes/syphilis, consider asking about monkeypox testing. Especially if you’ve been in close contact with someone who was recently sick, even if they didn’t mention monkeypox.
“I Thought It Was Just a Herpes Flare”
Jordan, 33, had been living with genital herpes for years. When new sores appeared, they assumed it was a flare-up. “But this time, it hit different,” they said. “I had chills, body aches, and the sores weren’t in the usual place.” A trip to urgent care and a monkeypox test confirmed what herpes never did. “I wouldn’t have known if I didn’t push for the test.”
Stories like Jordan’s are increasingly common. Monkeypox and herpes can look eerily alike, but the right test makes all the difference.
Is Monkeypox an STD? Sort of. But Not Really.
This is where things get messy. Monkeypox is not technically a sexually transmitted infection in the way chlamydia or gonorrhea are. It’s caused by a virus, monkeypox virus, part of the orthopoxvirus family (same as smallpox), and it spreads through close physical contact, not just sex.
So why is everyone calling it an STD?
Because during the 2022 global outbreak, most cases were reported in people who got it through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, oral, and especially anal sex. Add in the fact that monkeypox lesions often show up in the genitals or mouth, and it suddenly acts a lot like an STI, even though it technically isn’t.
The takeaway: You don’t have to have sex to catch monkeypox, but sex is a prime opportunity for transmission. And that’s what makes this all so confusing.
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How Monkeypox Actually Spreads
Unlike classic STIs that live in fluids (like semen or vaginal discharge), monkeypox spreads through:
- Direct contact with skin lesions or body fluids
- Touching clothing, bedding, or towels used by an infected person
- Prolonged face-to-face contact (like kissing or cuddling)
- Sex, oral, anal, or vaginal, due to close skin contact
So yes, you could technically get monkeypox from a sweaty dance floor or sharing a towel at the gym... but the vast majority of current transmissions happen during close, intimate, often sexual contact.
That’s why a sore on your genitals isn’t always an automatic herpes diagnosis anymore, and why monkeypox should be on the radar if you’ve had close contact with someone who’s sick or had a recent outbreak.
What If You Think You Have Monkeypox?
If you develop new or strange lesions, especially if you already ruled out common STDs, consider taking the test for monkeypox. The only problem is that not all providers or clinics test for it automatically. You might need to ask for it specifically, especially if your symptoms are weak or if you're not certain whether or not you were ever exposed.
Here's what you should do:
- Get a full STI panel to rule out herpes, syphilis, and other diseases.
- If your symptoms don't match your history, ask for monkeypox testing.
- Don't touch or have sex with anyone else until you're better.
- Put something over any sores and wash your hands often.
Swabbing lesions for lab analysis is a common part of testing. Some doctors may watch your symptoms instead of testing you right away if you haven't had any visible sores yet but have been exposed.
When Monkeypox and Herpes Co-Exist
Yes, it’s possible. You can have herpes and monkeypox at the same time. In fact, coinfections are increasingly documented during outbreaks. This can make symptoms more intense, and diagnosis more difficult, especially if one masks the other.
If your “usual” herpes outbreak feels different, longer healing time, flu symptoms, new sore locations, it’s worth asking your provider to rule out monkeypox. Don’t assume it’s just your normal flare.
Need to Test Discreetly?
While monkeypox testing isn’t yet available in most at-home kits, you can test for herpes, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and more from home. This helps you narrow down what’s going on, and gives you evidence to bring to your provider if something doesn’t add up.
Early, informed action is the best way to stay in control of your health. If your provider isn’t listening? Push for testing. Your body, your symptoms, your rules.
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“It Looked Like an Ingrown Hair, Until It Wasn’t”
Sasha, 29, had what she thought was an ingrown hair near her bikini line. “It was just one bump at first. I didn’t think anything of it.” But over the next few days, it multiplied, and started to hurt. She figured it might be a weird herpes flare, even though she’d never tested positive before. When the fever and body aches kicked in, she finally saw a doctor. It wasn’t herpes. It was monkeypox.
Stories like Sasha’s are becoming more common. Monkeypox doesn’t always look dramatic at first. Sometimes it’s one spot. Sometimes it hides in the folds of your skin or mimics a shaving bump. But the virus doesn’t care if you’re unsure, it just keeps spreading.
Monkeypox Treatment vs. Herpes Treatment
This is where things get very different. If it’s herpes, your provider may prescribe antiviral meds like acyclovir or valacyclovir. They don’t cure herpes, but they shorten outbreaks and reduce transmission risk. Most people with herpes manage symptoms and live totally normal lives.
But monkeypox? It usually clears on its own within 2–4 weeks. There’s no over-the-counter fix or long-term treatment plan. For most healthy people, it’s rest, fluids, and letting the body fight it off. That said, some providers may offer tecovirimat (TPOXX) for severe cases or high-risk patients.
And while herpes is usually a “take your meds and go to work” kind of deal, monkeypox may require isolation, because it’s more contagious in certain settings, especially with open lesions.
How Monkeypox Lesions Typically Look
Monkeypox starts differently for everyone, but here’s a rough progression:
- Flat red spots or bumps (often small and painless)
- Pustules (white or yellowish fluid-filled blisters)
- Ulcers or open sores
- Scabbing and healing
The whole process can last 2–4 weeks. Lesions may appear in clusters or randomly. Some people only get a few, while others break out across multiple areas, genitals, anus, thighs, mouth, chest, and even palms.
Unlike herpes, which tends to recur in the same area and starts with tingling or itching, monkeypox lesions can appear without warning, in new places, and may come with flu-like symptoms beforehand.
The Emotional Spiral: Shame, Panic, and Google Doomscrolling
Let’s not pretend this is just physical. Waking up to sores, especially in intimate places, can freak you out. And when monkeypox enters the chat? That fear multiplies. You might feel gross, contagious, or like you did something “bad.”
But here’s the truth: STIs and viruses don’t care about your morals. They spread through skin and biology, not bad decisions. Whether you picked it up during a one-night stand or from cuddling your partner, shame doesn’t help. Science does.
Take a breath. Get tested. And if it’s monkeypox? Treat your body gently, follow your provider’s advice, and remember, you’re still you. You’re still lovable. You’re still safe in your body.
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Blister Breakdown: What the Lesions Can (and Can’t) Tell You
Woke up with a strange bump and instantly Googled, “Is this monkeypox or an STD?” You’re not alone. In the panic of seeing something on your skin, especially down there, it's tempting to rely on photos or Reddit horror stories. But here's the reality: many infections cause similar-looking sores, and even doctors can’t always tell by sight alone.
Still, there are patterns that help narrow things down. Below is a quick comparison to help you think critically, not catastrophically, about what those blisters might be telling you. Just remember: the only way to know for sure is to test. Visual diagnosis is an educated guess at best, especially in the early stages.
| Condition | Blister Appearance | Timing & Progression | Pain Level | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monkeypox | Firm, deep-seated, with central dimple; may scab | Lesions appear 1–3 days after flu-like symptoms; evolve over 2–4 weeks | Moderate to severe | Genitals, face, hands, chest, anus; can be scattered |
| Herpes (HSV-2) | Clusters of small, fluid-filled blisters; often burst and crust | 1–2 weeks post exposure; recurrent outbreaks possible | Sharp, burning, stinging | Genitals, anus, thighs, buttocks |
| Syphilis (Primary) | Single painless ulcer (chancre); round with firm edges | 10–90 days post exposure; heals in 3–6 weeks | Painless (but highly infectious) | Genitals, anus, mouth |
| Chancroid | Soft, painful ulcers with ragged edges; may ooze | 4–10 days post exposure; often with swollen lymph nodes | Very painful | Primarily genitals |
Table: How to differentiate monkeypox blisters from STI-related sores, note timing, location, and pain level as key clues, but always confirm with testing.
FAQs
1. Can monkeypox be sexually transmitted?
It’s complicated. Technically, no, monkeypox isn’t classified as an STD. But let’s be real: when blisters show up in the middle of a hookup zone and the virus spreads during sex, it sure feels like one. Think of it more like a skin-to-skin contact virus that happens to love intimate moments.
2. How do I know if it’s herpes or monkeypox?
The short answer? You probably don’t, at least not just by looking. They both cause blisters and sores in similar areas. Monkeypox tends to come with full-body symptoms, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, before the rash hits. Herpes usually doesn’t. But if you’re guessing, you’re stressing. Get tested and let science take the wheel.
3. Is monkeypox only a “gay men” disease?
No. And that stigma? It’s dangerous. Early outbreaks affected a lot of men who have sex with men because of how networks of close contact work, not because of who they are. Anyone with skin can catch monkeypox. Straight, queer, monogamous, wild summer fling, it doesn’t discriminate.
4. Can syphilis be mistaken for monkeypox?
More often than you’d think. That painless sore from syphilis (called a chancre) can look like the early phase of monkeypox, especially in the genital area. If your STD tests come back negative but the sores don’t feel right, or more show up, ask your provider about monkeypox testing.
5. Can I swab at home for monkeypox?
Not yet. Monkeypox testing still needs to be done by a provider, usually by swabbing an active lesion. But you can test for most STDs at home (including herpes and syphilis), which helps narrow it down. If everything’s coming back clear but the rash is raging, speak up and get swabbed.
6. How long am I contagious if I have monkeypox?
From the moment symptoms start until the very last scab heals and new skin forms. That can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. You don’t need to hide under a rock, but definitely avoid close contact, especially sex, until you’re in the clear.
7. Do condoms stop monkeypox?
Not really. Condoms are great for preventing fluid-based STIs, but monkeypox spreads through skin. If the rash is outside the area a condom covers, which is often the case, it can still spread. So no, latex isn’t your shield here.
8. I tested negative for all STDs but still have blisters. Now what?
That’s your cue to consider monkeypox. You’re not crazy, and your body isn’t lying. If the test panel said “negative” but your skin says otherwise, bring monkeypox into the conversation with your provider. You deserve clear answers, not shrugs.
9. Is monkeypox dangerous?
For most people, it’s more annoying than dangerous. Painful sores, isolation, a few weeks of discomfort. But for folks who are immunocompromised, pregnant, or very young, complications can happen. That’s why early testing matters, even if you’re not “high risk.”
|0. Can I kiss or cuddle someone if I might have monkeypox?
As tempting as it is to downplay it, probably not a good idea. Monkeypox can spread through close contact and saliva, especially if you’ve got mouth sores or unhealed lesions. Love doesn’t have to stop, but the snuggling might need to hit pause until you’re no longer contagious.
How We Sourced This Article: This article draws on CDC monkeypox updates, clinical research from infectious disease specialists, and real-world patient narratives from recent outbreaks. Around fifteen reputable sources informed this guide, below, we’ve highlighted some of the most relevant and reader-friendly ones.
Sources
1. Clinical Overview of Monkeypox , CDC
2. Monkeypox Considerations for Sexual Health Services , CDC
3. Mpox (Monkeypox) Fact Sheet , WHO
4. A Position Statement on Mpox as a Sexually Transmitted … , PMC
5. Monkeypox: Features, Outbreak, and Sexual Health , AAFP
About the Author
Dr. F. David, MD is a board-certified infectious disease specialist with more than 15 years of clinical experience diagnosing and managing viral infections, STDs, and emerging pathogens. He’s passionate about debunking stigma and helping people understand their bodies with clarity and confidence.
Reviewed by: C. Mares, PA-C | Last medically reviewed: October 2025
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis.
