Several public health organizations, including the California Department of Public Health, have chosen to refer to monkeypox as "MPX" (pronounced "em-pox") with the aim of reducing homophobic and racial stigma surrounding the virus. For the rest of this story, we use "MPX" for these reasons, except in direct quotes or other cases where it would confuse readers.
MPX cases are rising quickly throughout the country. Both the state of California and San Francisco have declared a state of emergency around the virus, and state and local health officials are working with the federal government to make more MPX vaccines available.
Anybody can get MPX, but at the moment it’s particularly affecting communities of gay and bisexual men, and men and trans people who have sex with men.
So tell us: do you have a question about MPX and can't find an answer in our guide to where to find a MPX vaccine near you, or in our explainer on MPX symptoms and how the virus spreads?
You can use the box below to submit your question, whether it's about treatment and recovery or something else you're wondering. What you send us will make our reporting on MPX stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site and on KQED Public Radio.