MPV: Health Information
Find out about symptoms, how it's spread, and other general health information on MPV.
Contact Us
Monday-Friday 9a.m. - 5p.m.
Butler Pavilion, Room 400 on a map
Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8127 United StatesMPV Guide for the AU Community Protocols & Guidance for Students, Faculty & Staff
MPV, also known as monkeypox and MPX, is a viral disease that can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact.
Symptoms? Here's what to do.
Step 1. Make appointment
- Students, make appointment at Student Health Center. Do this on the Student Health Portal (AU login required), choosing “Monkeypox concerns” as reason for visit, or call 202-885-3380. Results may take 2-3 days. (Diagnosis is performed at SHC, but specimens are sent to Labcorp for processing and results.)
- Faculty and Staff, contact your primary care physician or local Dept. of Health.
Step 2. Take Precautions While Awaiting Results
- Avoid sex or other close, intimate contact with others.
- Cover lesions (rashes) with bandages or clothing, if possible.
- Wear masks around others and in shared space.
- Avoid gatherings until symptoms have resolved, especially if they involve close, personal, skin-to-skin contact or prolonged face-to-face contact.
Positive diagnosis? Report and Isolate.
If diagnosed with MPV, you must submit the MPV Self-Report Form on the AU Portal and isolate for up to four weeks. See protocols below for faculty, staff, or student living on- or off-campus:
Students Living On Campus
Report
- Submit a MPV Self-Report Form on the AU Portal. If tested/diagnosed by a medical provider other than the Student Health Center, student must attach documentation.
- What about academics? The Office of the Dean of Students will contact a student's faculty on their behalf. You can also contact your academic advisor or the Office of the Dean of Students for additional support as needed.
- What about on-campus employment? Students must notify Employee Relations in the Office of Human Resources.
Isolate until Clearance
- Isolation. Students with MPV will either:
- Move into on-campus isolation housing for the full length of isolation, as per DC Health guidance, which can be up to 28 days; or,
- Find alternate arrangements for housing outside of AU housing (such as at home) during isolation.
- Support. The Student Support Team will provide guidance and support with symptom monitoring, when to end isolation, and other issues related to isolation.
- Clearance Exam. Once all sores have healed, scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed you must schedule a clearance exam with the AU Student Health Center to confirm eligibility to return to in-person classes and activities.
During this time, do not travel using public transportation or stay at a hotel.
Mental Health Resources & Coping Support
Struggling emotionally? For counseling services, contact (202-885-3500) or reach out 24/7 to AU ProtoCall (202-885-7979).
Students Living Off Campus
Report
- Submit a MPV Self-Report Form on the AU Portal. If tested/diagnosed by a medical provider other than the Student Health Center, student must attach documentation.
- What about academics? The Office of the Dean of Students will contact a student's faculty on their behalf. You can also contact your academic advisor or the Office of the Dean of Students for additional support as needed.
- What about on-campus employment? Students must notify Employee Relations in the Office of Human Resources.
Isolate until Clearance
- Isolate. You must isolate at off-campus residence until you are cleared to return to campus and the rash has healed. Stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with when possible and use a separate bathroom.
- Clearance Exam. Once all sores have healed, scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed, you must schedule a clearance exam with the AU Student Health Center to confirm eligibility to return to in-person classes and activities. This applies to all students with a campus presence: undergraduate, graduate, WCL, full-time and part-time.
During this time, do not travel using public transportation or stay at a hotel.
Mental Health Resources & Coping Support
Struggling emotionally? For counseling services, contact (202-885-3500) or reach out 24/7 to AU ProtoCall (202-885-7979).
Faculty & Staff
Report
- Submit a MPV Self-Report Form on the AU Portal.
- Once you've submitted your MPV Self-Report form, staff from AU's Employee Relations will contact you to discuss your ability to work remotely, provide assistance with leave procedures if needed, coordinate with supervisor, Dean, or department chair, and facilitate your return to work once you meet the conditions for release from self-isolation.
Isolate until Clearance
- Isolate. You must isolate at your residence until you are cleared to return to campus and the rash has healed. Stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with when possible and use a separate bathroom.
- Clearance Exam. Once all sores have healed, scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed, you must obtain a medical clearance letter from your health provider confirming eligibility to return to in-person work and activities. Email this medical clearance letter to eMployee Relations at employeerelations@american.edu.
During this time, do not travel using public transportation or stay at a hotel.
Prevention
Vaccination
Students, you may register for a JYNNEOS vaccine to prevent infection through the DC Department of Health (whether you live off-campus or in AU Housing). Vaccination is only available through local health departments. AU students do NOT need to be a formal resident of the District of Columbia to register for the vaccine.
Faculty and staff, you can register for vaccination through your local health department.
Hygiene Measures
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash resembling MPV.
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with MPV.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle, or have sex with someone with MPV.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with MPV.
- Do not handle or touch bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with MPV.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
MPV does not spread easily between people; however, anyone in close contact with a person with MPV can get it and should take steps to protect themselves. People who do NOT have MPV symptoms cannot spread the virus to others.